Overlays

Overlays are fantastic for that uncluttered look with just the right quote, title, or decoration. They are clear, acid-free sheets made for scrapbooking and paper crafts. They can be clear, stamped, as well as graphic can be found with pre-printed quotes, titles or colorful designs.

Not only are they cool as is, they're even more spectacular when you jazz them up a bit. Just as we alter papers and other materials, they can be altered or distressed. They can also be inked, stamped on, or colored in several ways.

Inking or stamping

Applying ink is a great way to add definition or color.It is important, though, to be careful of which ink you use. StayOn ink pads are considered best since overlays are non-porous surfaces, meaning the ink dries quickly without the chance for smudging.

You can ink the edges by running the edge along an ink pad. Hold the ink pad in one hand and the accent in the other and slide the edge down the ink pad. For lighter, thinner or darker, thicker coverage, just adjust the angle of either the ink pad or embellishment as you hold it.

For all-over inking, place your item on a piece of scratch paper and turn the ink pad face down. Press the ink pad to the clear accent or transparency, increasing pressure for less. You can press a stippling brush to an ink pad, then to the object for a different look. You also don’t have to stay with plain blacks or browns with the inking method. Another way of accenting your overlay is by using bright colors that coordinate with your project.

Coloring with Paper

Adding a touch of color is a simple and fun way to alter your embellishment. Select your accent, then pick cardstock or paper to fit behind the entire piece or just a select position, behind a letter, border or image.

Coloring with Paint or Pens

Another way to add a little bit of color to your embellishment is with a permanent ink pen or liquid acrylic paint. To add the color, turn over the accent and apply the ink or paint to the back. This way the color will show through the translucent parts while still allowing the darker printed parts on the accent to show.

Recommended are Permapage Opaque or Slick Writer ™ pen for coloring, and liquid acrylic paint with a small paint brush for painting.

Sanding

Texture is another way to alter these embellishments. Lightly sand the top of an overlay piece to add texture to the surface. Leave as is or add link over the top. The ink will sink into the crevices, creating a one of a kind look.

Accents can be attached in a variety of ways, including the use of ribbons, brads, and hidden adhesive.

Here are a few other ways in which transparencies attach to your scrapbooking page layouts.

One: Glue down transparencies where covered on scrapbook pages. Look for places on your layout where the transparency will be covered by other items such as photos and embellishments. Perfect for hiding your adhesive.

Two: Attach transparencies with brads on scrapbook pages. Brads are one of the easiest embellishments to use. Simply poke a small hole with a push pin, insert the brad, and open the prongs on the back.

Three: Hide the transparency edge on scrapbook pages. Instead of using brads on both sides of the bottom journaling box, the right side was covered with a strip of cardstock that matched the background paper. This strip created a camouflaged area where adhesive cold be replaced to tack down the transparency piece.

Four: Use eyelets to attach a transparency on a scrapbook page. The eyelet is not only used for attaching the overlay but can double as a means of holding a charm by threading floss through it.

Five: Glue transparency behind printing on scrapbook pages. If you are using a pre-printed overlay and it contains a design or text, use a clear adhesive runner so the glue will not show through the printed surface.

Overlays

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