Introducing Backstreet Beat

Backstreets are narrow roads that tend to wind through remote neighborhoods where frugality and practicality are a necessity in life. Even though it is easy to get lost on a backstreet, taking a moment to look around while getting the bearings might disclose some wonderful things. Each month, Backstreet Beat will focus on how to create amazing projects with sensible and thrifty applications. In a nutshell, Backstreet Beat is all about the “recession-proof” scrapper at large.

The very first article focuses on adding dimension to a page to create some eye-catching elements that are both interesting and unique. There are several ways to add dimension to a project, one of the easiest using a product like Pop Dots, which are a fun way to highlight certain elements on a page without creating too much bulk. However, there are many more ideas for adding dimension to a project, and plenty of tips and tricks to create dimension in a clever fashion, which will fit any ability and any budget.

Stacking or overlapping chipboard letters is a great way to add dimension to a title. No need for fancy adhesives, just let the already sticky alphabets do the work and stick to each other. For cardstock stickers like the banners on this page, you can use some small chipboard pieces. Save the negative spaces of your chipboard alphabets (a, b, d, e, g, o, p, q, ) and use these as a homemade “pop dots”.

Folding paper into interesting designs is another way to add dimension to a page. Pinwheels are an easy and fun element to use in place of expensive flowers. They only require a small square of paper and a fastener like a brad or button. You can easily find instructions and videos how to make them on the Internet.

Stop and Smell the Flowers by Liz Qualman

Supplies: Paper, Stickers: Echo Park, Ribbon: Imaginisce, Alphabet: American Crafts, Echo Park Paper, Bling, Brads: Imaginisce, Ink: ColorBox (Clearsnap), Pen: Zig Writer (EK Success), Other: string. Tools: Gem Setter, Brad Maker: Imaginisce.

Design Notes: I used my Imaginisce i-top to make these bright pinwheels instead of flowers for my layout. Thought they were a festive addition to the park theme of the Echo Park papers. The papers are double sided and I did not like the way the two patterns looked together, so I just cut two squares and glued them together so the same pattern is on the front and back of my pinwheels. I also used my i-rock to add some bling for interest.

Journaling: Our beautiful little girl Maddie, August 2010