Patty Van Dorin

scrapodex: tips and hints

 
Every day, I get questions about the scrapodex and I thought I would do a little post to answer a few of the questions I get.

The vintage rolodex that I use holds cards that are 2 1/4" by 4".  I think there are larger size rolodex.  The 2 1/4" by 4" is considered the standard size.

I collage right on the original cards.
If I have a piece of paper that is heavy, I will draw around a rolodex card as a template and then cut out the paper to size.
 
One thing I had not even thought about was orientation. Most of my card I use as a horizontal orientation and my rolodex is like a book. It wasn't until Brian sent me some finished cards that I realized that a vertical orientation may be more in keeping with the original flip type rolodex.(The above card is one of Brian's) I also noticed that some holes are shaped a bit different than mine. I don't think any of this matters and I think a rolodex with cards in different orientations make it more interesting.
 
The most frequent question I receive is how to cut the tabs of the card. I don't use a punch even though there are rolodex punches. I find that my cards are too thick with paper and paint for a punch to work. I cut out my tabs with a small scissors. I have also found that you don't need to be neat and perfect when cutting these because once they are in the rolodex you don't notice the cut tabs.  Just don't cut them too big or too small.
 
Because I like to make these cards up quickly, I use a tape runner to adhere paper to my cards. I will also use a glue stick and I don't have a problem with paper lifting up but I know some people who this is an issue. 

I will also use white glue or mod podge. When using a liquid glue, the cards can have a tendency to curl or roll. One way to help with this, is to lightly coat one side of the blank card with glue before using the card for collage, let dry and then coat the other side with glue and let dry.  Then you can use this card to make your collage.
 
When I collage and work on a card, I work on one side at a time. Then I trim the edges and cut out the tab. Once that is finished I will work on the other side and trim and cut out the tab once again. I find that working one side and cutting it keeps it easy to keep these cards and tabs in the correct size and position.

This is an easy project but don't hesitate to ask questions.

daily sketchbook

 

memorial day 2011

 

old boxes with crusty labels

 
I love old boxes and if they have even a fragment of a label, that just makes it even better.
 
After giving these old boxes a good scrubbing, they get a papering on the inside with vintage papers. Boxes and drawers without paper look naked to me.
 
I am going to use this one in my kitchen to hold tea.
 
My newest old box is a tin cigar humidor with just a scrap of label. I would have loved it without it's label because I love old tin.
 
This one received pages from a vintage French dictonary with a little surprise on the lid.
 
If a box has a lid, it will recieve a little extra special treatment in the form of a collage. This time just a simple piece of paper was used that I have had forever but I think it is perfect for the lid. The paper was so fragile and crumbly that is was nearly impossible to get it on the lid. I love the pieces of old yellowed tape and glued that on along with this precious little bit of paper.
I am using this box to store small pieces of linens and lace. Something about the little hand prints and cleanly pressed linens in the box seemed amusing to me.

 
This one stores aqua colored beads.  A shrine for cherished baubles.
 

your own scrapodex project

 
Have you wanted to start your own Scrapodex project?  When I am out and about I always keep an eye out, looking for the elusive vintage rolodex. Last week I found this beauty and have listed it on my etsy shop.
 
click here for more pictures and details

Baronne Henriette de Snoy

 
 
I think this rose has a bit of a pekingese face. 

daily sketchbook journal - during out walk

 
 
Sometimes I don't have the time to complete a page in the sketchbook. What I like to do is roughly sketch on a page what I want to record for that day and add the date. When I have time, I will come back and work on the page. Just like these two.
 
and this one
 
 
A sketchbook journal does not have to be magnificent pages of art work, it can be rough little sketches like these to record what you were doing on any particular day.

Flagg and Homan

 
today's color inspiration
vintage Flagg and Homan pewter sugar urn available on etsy
click here for more pictures and details

daily sketchbook

 
inspired by last night's dream, a dream of color and patterns of circles
 
The Duchesse de Brabant outside my door is putting on quite a show despite the heat and humidity.  She seems to love the tropical weather.
Duchesse de Brabant is said to be Teddy Roosevelt's favorite rose.
A continous bloomer with pale pink cupped flowers with a rich strong tea fragrance that I can catch even inside the house.
This rose is a nodder, meaning the blooms tend to tip down which is nice since my rose gets very large each growing season.
In my area, this shrub rose can grow to 8 feet but can take a heavy pruning as it blooms on new wood.
Don't overcrowd this rose and give it plenty of room
a.k.a.
Comtesse de Labarathe
Contess Bertha
Shell
The Shell Rose

more scraping in the scrapodex