Scattered Pictures and Memories: Sisters - ScrapThat! November Kit Layout and Mini-Fan Tutorial

Today, I'm providing the details/close-ups of one of my ScrapThat! November Kit creations - from the gorgeous "Remember When . . ." Kit. This layout is based on the November Sketch (designed by Amarilys Doria). I created this layout for my sister - who has been trying to convince me for years that we should get matching tattoos of the Chinese characters for "Sisters". I'm not a fan of needles - so there is no tattoo (yet?!), but I thought this might make a nice gift for her since it is my favourite picture of the two of us.

All the items on the layout, are from the ScrapThat! Main Kit, with the exception of the chopsticks, craft sticks, embossing powder and white cardstock. I did lots of layering, distressing and fussy cutting for this layout. I also added in some Prima packaging as a photo mat - you can see it peeking out to the left of the photo. I used a Martha Stewart Edge punch for the black paper and fussy-cut the yellow 'bracket' shapes from the Bo Bunny Serenade "Trellis" paper.

I just loved the Bo Bunny Serenade papers - especially the "Garden" paper with the red poppies - perfect for fussy cutting! I cut out and layered the poppies and then highlighted the centres with Stickles in Yellow.

Given the Asian theme of the layout - I decided to create some mini-fan embellishments (check out the tutorial below!) - I just love how these turned out!

I also added a pair of Bamboo Chopsticks as embellishments. I inked these with the Prima Ink that came in the kit and added some Zva Pearls to the tops of the chopsticks.

Mini Fan Tutorial
Items required:
Craft Knife//Sharp Scissors
Scoring Tool
Heat Embossing Tool
Strong White Craft Glue
Patterned Paper
Craft Sticks
Brown Ink pad (optional)
Patterned Stamp
Watermark Ink
Embossing Powder
Scrap (i.e. waste) Paper

1. Cut strips of patterned paper for the fan – for the fans on my layout, I have used strips that are 2-inches wide by 7-inches long.

2. Ink, Stamp, Emboss Sticks

Ink the craft sticks with the brown ink (you can skip this step – but I liked the darker colour of the inked sticks). ALLOW TO DRY thoroughly before doing the next three steps.

Stamp the craft sticks with your patterned stamp using watermark ink.

Sprinkle the stamped area with embossing powder – make sure to tap the sticks and get all the excess embossing powder off so that the pattern will be clear.

Use your heat tool to set the embossing.

3. Stamp/Emboss Paper

Put the scrap (waste) paper over your patterned paper strip so that only about ½ an inch of the long edge of the paper is exposed.

Stamp along the exposed edge of the patterned paper with your stamp using watermark ink.

Sprinkle the stamped area with embossing powder – make sure to tap the paper and get all the excess embossing powder off so that the pattern will be clear.

Use your heat tool to set the embossing.

4. Fanfold/Accordion Fold your Patterned Paper strip.

Determine the width of the fold you want. I based this on the width of the mini-popsicle sticks I used – so each fold is 3/8-inch.

Score the paper every 3/8-inch (or whatever measurement you’re using) using your scoring tool.

Fanfold your paper – you want the ends of the fan to fold backwards so that the craft sticks aren’t exposed once they’re affixed to the paper.

5. Distress the fan (optional)

Use your knife/scissors to gently distress the edges of the patterned paper.

6. Affix the craft sticks

Use a very strong craft glue (Aleene’s Tacky Glue works well) to affix the craft sticks to the ends of the fan – leave a good amount of the craft stick exposed at the bottom of the patterned paper strip. ALLOW TO DRY thoroughly.

Affix the two exposed ends of the craft sticks to one another to create the fan – you can easily adjust the width of your finished fan at this stage by adjusting the angle at which the sticks are joined.