Stickles Gone Wild - An Expose' (or True Confessions Of A "Stickle Ho" Wannabe)
Ever heard that old adage "a little goes a long way"? A painful episode this weekend with Stickles has taught me this lesson well! For those who aren't familiar with Stickles, let me give you the scoop. Stickles is this wonderful and highly addictive product used to put glitter anywhere you want it, and to do so in the tiniest amounts (Key word here is "tiny". Learn it, live it, love it!). You can turn any patterned paper into glittered bliss, you can write your name or other important words with it, you can outline, dot, the list goes on. Not only do you finally have control over glitter, but it comes in a fabulous array of colors! I'll post some pics here for your viewing pleasure!
Anyway, Stickles is a favorite product among many of my fellow Divas. We were first introduced to this powerful tool by Julie (I may or may not have changed her name to protect the innocent), who soon came to be known as the "Stickle Ho" because she couldn't get enough of this new technique or the cute little bottles it comes in, and began stockpiling (aka hoarding) Stickles. Next, she started showing a preference for projects that could in fact incorporate the use of this powerful little embellishment. Before long she was pretty much happily stickling anything and everything. We were frankly, a little concerned. But the concern did not last, and before the rest of the Divas knew what was happening, we too were using (and hoarding) more than our share of Stickles.
I hadn't had many opportunities to play with Stickles or really any of my goodies until recently. (New Year's resolution - scrapbook one page per week!) This is where my story really begins. I had been saving some beautiful papers, a transparency border, and a chipboard elements from My Mind's Eye "Bohemian" collection. My dilemma was to find the photograph that was truly "worthy" of using these supplies, as once these items are gone from my stash, they are gone forever. I can always reprint a photograph, but I can't replace the "stuff"! (In theory) I had settled on a picture of Gabi and me taken at the beach this summer. The picture was taken at the dock on the waterways, and lent itself to the Dragonfly theme of the embellishments. (Another important note here - it's not usually a good idea to have the embellishments, instead of the photograph, determine what the page is about.)
In the beginning, there was success! Mixing some patterned paper, determining how to use the transparency border, exploring using strips of color behind the transparency, all of it was good clean fun! Then I had the bright idea that I would add some Stickles to the mix. Examine if you will, how wonderful the dragonfly wings look with just a little bit of clear Stickles to give the iridescent effect. From there I thought, how nice would the mat around the photo look with some of the design elements highlighted with more Stickles. Now I bring out the gold and the coffee colors, to match the colors used in the paper. Well, I'm having so much fun using the Stickles to dress up the pattern, that I begin to wonder "what else can I stickle"? It is at this point that I'm called away from my page, for a brief (6 hour) intermission. While I'm away, I ponder the possibilities. What else does the page need? It seems mostly done, but I'm not happy with the edges of the mat around the photo.....is seems unfinished. Perhaps it needs a frame? (Here's where some dramatic cliffhanger type music should be hummed to yourself!)
Keep in mind that when I've returned to the page, I've had many hours to stew about the possibilities. I've also had dinner, and possibly an adult beverage that may have clouded my judgment. I undertake at approximately 9 PM EST, to create a "Stickle Frame"!! And in gold no less!! Once I've started creating my loop de' loop design there's no turning back, but I've got to try it. If this is successful, perhaps I can be promoted to Stickle Ho status too! (Let me interject here that all of the Stickle Ho's known to me are very adept at using this product. They embellish with style and grace, and most certainly know when to quit!) About 1/2 way through the first side of the frame I knew I'd made a mistake. "Turn Back" my inner artsy-fartsy side wailed! "It's too late" countered the logical side of the brain (can't remember whether it's left or right that does this), we'll have to go on without you!! I mean, I know of no way to remove all traces of the glitter evidence at this point!
So there you have it. Now I've got to figure out what to do next with this disaster. Take a good look at the EXCESS below and tell me what you think. (Warning: Use of sunglasses while viewing is recommended!) Should I rip up the center and do it over? (Probably don't have the exact same matting paper....) Will I be able to get that little bit of gold EXCESS off my transparency border? Should I ever use a supply again of which I have no more stashed? Or, perhaps I should put this directly into my scrapbook and refer to it before I get my Stickles out the next time as an unfortunate reminder of the dangers of Stickle overuse.....
I'd welcome your advice and input. (About the glitter mess. I know the journaling tag is blank and needs to be completed, but I'm too much in shock to be able to think of anything to write on that right now.) Perhaps a vote would be in order? I'll wait for your comments, before proceeding......
My Stickles Stash
An example of "responsible" Stickle use
EXCESSIVE Stickle use!!
The finished (?) project....
Anyway, Stickles is a favorite product among many of my fellow Divas. We were first introduced to this powerful tool by Julie (I may or may not have changed her name to protect the innocent), who soon came to be known as the "Stickle Ho" because she couldn't get enough of this new technique or the cute little bottles it comes in, and began stockpiling (aka hoarding) Stickles. Next, she started showing a preference for projects that could in fact incorporate the use of this powerful little embellishment. Before long she was pretty much happily stickling anything and everything. We were frankly, a little concerned. But the concern did not last, and before the rest of the Divas knew what was happening, we too were using (and hoarding) more than our share of Stickles.
I hadn't had many opportunities to play with Stickles or really any of my goodies until recently. (New Year's resolution - scrapbook one page per week!) This is where my story really begins. I had been saving some beautiful papers, a transparency border, and a chipboard elements from My Mind's Eye "Bohemian" collection. My dilemma was to find the photograph that was truly "worthy" of using these supplies, as once these items are gone from my stash, they are gone forever. I can always reprint a photograph, but I can't replace the "stuff"! (In theory) I had settled on a picture of Gabi and me taken at the beach this summer. The picture was taken at the dock on the waterways, and lent itself to the Dragonfly theme of the embellishments. (Another important note here - it's not usually a good idea to have the embellishments, instead of the photograph, determine what the page is about.)
In the beginning, there was success! Mixing some patterned paper, determining how to use the transparency border, exploring using strips of color behind the transparency, all of it was good clean fun! Then I had the bright idea that I would add some Stickles to the mix. Examine if you will, how wonderful the dragonfly wings look with just a little bit of clear Stickles to give the iridescent effect. From there I thought, how nice would the mat around the photo look with some of the design elements highlighted with more Stickles. Now I bring out the gold and the coffee colors, to match the colors used in the paper. Well, I'm having so much fun using the Stickles to dress up the pattern, that I begin to wonder "what else can I stickle"? It is at this point that I'm called away from my page, for a brief (6 hour) intermission. While I'm away, I ponder the possibilities. What else does the page need? It seems mostly done, but I'm not happy with the edges of the mat around the photo.....is seems unfinished. Perhaps it needs a frame? (Here's where some dramatic cliffhanger type music should be hummed to yourself!)
Keep in mind that when I've returned to the page, I've had many hours to stew about the possibilities. I've also had dinner, and possibly an adult beverage that may have clouded my judgment. I undertake at approximately 9 PM EST, to create a "Stickle Frame"!! And in gold no less!! Once I've started creating my loop de' loop design there's no turning back, but I've got to try it. If this is successful, perhaps I can be promoted to Stickle Ho status too! (Let me interject here that all of the Stickle Ho's known to me are very adept at using this product. They embellish with style and grace, and most certainly know when to quit!) About 1/2 way through the first side of the frame I knew I'd made a mistake. "Turn Back" my inner artsy-fartsy side wailed! "It's too late" countered the logical side of the brain (can't remember whether it's left or right that does this), we'll have to go on without you!! I mean, I know of no way to remove all traces of the glitter evidence at this point!
So there you have it. Now I've got to figure out what to do next with this disaster. Take a good look at the EXCESS below and tell me what you think. (Warning: Use of sunglasses while viewing is recommended!) Should I rip up the center and do it over? (Probably don't have the exact same matting paper....) Will I be able to get that little bit of gold EXCESS off my transparency border? Should I ever use a supply again of which I have no more stashed? Or, perhaps I should put this directly into my scrapbook and refer to it before I get my Stickles out the next time as an unfortunate reminder of the dangers of Stickle overuse.....
I'd welcome your advice and input. (About the glitter mess. I know the journaling tag is blank and needs to be completed, but I'm too much in shock to be able to think of anything to write on that right now.) Perhaps a vote would be in order? I'll wait for your comments, before proceeding......
My Stickles Stash An example of "responsible" Stickle use EXCESSIVE Stickle use!! The finished (?) project....
Clearly, your sweet and creative youngest child got into your scrapbooking supplies. She saw a wonderful opportunity to add a glitter frame to the pic and did so. You, as a sentimental and supportive mother (not the type of mother who would scream at a little girl for messing up her scrapbook page) have kept the page the way she made it and placed it in your album to preserve the memory of her adorable antics. Stick to this story---it will gain truth if you retell it enough. Your grandchildren will actually believe this how it went down! And step away from the Stickles!
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What genius! Spoken like a mom who knows the real reason we have kids........to shoulder the responsibility (blame) whenever neccessary! If only I'd thought of this explanation before I broadcasted to the world that I had serious issues with Stickles!
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I like it! Before seeing it, I was expecting obvious mismatching loops that did not look even. Actually, the loops are a very nice contrast to the straight lines of the papers and gives a nice girly quality to the overall effect. And, by the way, the printed design strips echo the loops--which according to my art design teacher is a desirable element. I like it!
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Thanks Mom!! BTW, if I admit this is from my mom, does it negate the validation she's given my page?!?
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This is so funny to me! I am also a Stickle Ho, and have been known to go way overboard! I would rip the picture out and start over.
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Isn't there a SUI (stickling under the influence)law in this state. If not there should be.
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I'm not a scrapbooking or Stickles expert, but I would say the only thing you can do is start the heck over! When I produce something like this, I trade it away or start over. I do like the dragonflies, though...
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I think the finished product is beautiful! I wish I was as talented as you!!! Love you.
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And in case anyone didn't already suspect as much.....this would be from a family member...Clearly!
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I like it! Especially the doodles around the picture. I am not sure after all that work that I would redo it all! What fun with Stickles! I vote for keeping it and a copy of the story too!
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But if I rework it, I get to get the Stickles back out, right??
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I loved the story!!! Remember in Pretty Woman when she saw the opera, what he translated as "Pirates of Penzance"? ha ha that was me!!! I think I would leave it, it might be a little over the top, but if you use the story, that will make it
by the way, I used my stickles for the first time, and does it dry out? I got a little bit out at first, then it wouldn't come out any more.
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I love that movie! It was just on again the other night. I think Julia Roberts is wonderful! Thanks for the feedback! A new bottle like that would not dry out, unless you'd left the lid off(?). I have found that sometimes the glitter can cause a blocked artery (tip). A couple of good smacks of the bottom (of the bottle) on your work surface and it is usually ready to go again. I know some of the girls will cut the tip down a bit too. I don't like to do that as the very small tip is certainly providing me more than enough Stickles.......
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Too funny! You and your stickling habit, you got me hooked too. I stickled last weekend, but not quite to that extent, although close. I think it looks fine, but if you wanted to maybe bring down the effect a notch without starting over (which I NEVER do, it was too hard to get time in the first place) maybe find a thin ribbon in a matching color (that dark red lace over the dragonflies might be nice) and then tack it down over half of the stickling to kind of break it up a bit. Just a thought. By the way, the dragonflies are BEAUTIFUL.
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Well, first and foremost, let's address your addiction. While I'm not yet an official "Stickle Ho" and am just a "wannabe", I do think it's important to point out here that I am a "Stickle Pusher" and as such, it's my job to see that as many of you as possible become addicted to this stuff! My story was designed to warn of the dangers of EXCESS use, but wasn't meant to scare anybody from actually using (and becoming addicted to) these little gems! I am glad my evil plan has worked on you, and since you are now officially "hooked" as you say, you'll be glad to know that I'll be throwing temptation out there with a special offer on Stickles in just a few days........
Secondarily, (we are still supposed to be contemplating the page itself) you make an important point. Who among us has time to rework pages??? I'm only entertaining this because I feel it's important to salvage what I can of that beautiful paper, of which I have no more!
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Oh dear, you should have stopped before the frame. I was with you until you made(?) the frame. I can't offer any advice to help you right now.
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Kim, I heartily recommend redoing the page -- at least to some extent. Otherwise, this page will be known as the "stickle page" rather than a wonderful memory of a time on the pier with your daughter. Perhaps the page can be altered with a fiberous paper (great for seascapes, etc.) or pleated paper border around the picture to cover the abundance of glitter. Another option might be to cover the stickle border with some embossing paste (or something similar) that has a "sandy" texture (and maybe some small seashells embedded into it) so that the frame looks as though it's being incorporated into a reef. These are just some off-the-cuff suggestions. You have the benefit of seeing the page firsthand and can best judge your attachments to the pages components that might be lost in a remake as well as what colors and techniques would complement (and compliment) the page's must-haves.
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Wow! Thanks for the awesome ideas! I am feeling brave, and I think I will "go back in" to battle the Stickles Frame and see what can be saved....
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It looks like Stickles on crack. I would try to salvage the page. I wouldn't be able to put it in an album because it would scare me every time I saw it!
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I thought your frame was lovely. However, to keep your photo from fading into the frame, turn a black permanent marker sideways and outline the edges of the photo to give it a more dimensional look. Love the stickles and have gotten my friend hooked on them.
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Well, Kim, I'm no expert in this fru-fru stuff, but since you asked.... I really liked the effect of the frame on the photo, and agree with Diana--it's pleasantly "girlie." Sort of reminds me of a prom dress. I wouldn't want to wear one, but it looks nice on you and Gabi. I also like the dragonflies. If there's anything that bothers me about the page I guess it's that I don't quite know what to make of where the stickles aren't! Have fun, kid!
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I think you should keep it and journal. Not about the day at the pier with your daughter, but about your Stickle addiction. (Printing out the above story would be a great way to do it!) Re-print the photo & do a different layout about the pier. Someday your great grandchildren will look at this page and know what a great sense of humor you have!
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Where do you live? I have TONS of that paper you are hoarding, quite literally the entire collection. I could be talked into trading a little pile of paper for a bottle of Stickles...lol
Perhaps I am jaded by loud unruly scrapping pages, or the pictures isn't truly worth a 1000 words in this instance, but it did not appear to be quite the hot mess I was expecting from the blog. I would leave it be.
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Eek!
Well good thing is my eye is drawn toward the photo! But if you hadn't shown me what the dragonflies looked like I'd have had to hunt them down!
Hmm, I'm thinking your photo could use a double mat like suggested before to cover it up. Do you have any papers that match the colors?
I also like the idea of printing your story here and adding it to the page! You can reprint the picture and do another LO! LOL
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Kim...KEEP IT!!! As I sit here laughing/coughing (influenza...grr) at your little experience, my mind wonders to the stash that I have at work...unbeknown to what it actually was at the time I bought it and how I have now discovered it will come home with me so that I likewise can become a little Stickles Ho too!!!! I think your dragonflies are beautiful, and when I saw your "frame"...I broke out in full laughter only because that will be totally me! LOL But really though...keep it! It looks like a crocheted(sp) edge. There is no "wrong way" in scrapbooking!
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well first and foremost thanks so much for cluing me in on the "stickle ho" title I know someone who deserves one of those satin across the chest beauty padgent banners proclaiming that. I think I'll make her one written with ummm stickles! But I digress
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