Special-Effects Scrapbooking: Creative Techniques for Scrapbookers at All Levels (Crafts Highlights) (Paperback)

~ Jill Miller (Author) "Scrapbook pages that shimmer can be as easy to create as they are elegant..." (more)
Key Phrases: embossing paste, decorator chalks, opaque paint pen, Radiant Pearls, Making Memories, Paper Adventures (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Scrapbooking is hotter than ever, and now there's a guide that makes experimenting with a variety of tools and techniques fun and easy-without lots of preparation and time-consuming procedures! Special-Effects Scrapbooking takes scrapbookers beyond the basics of beginner scrapbooking guides to help them achieve a new level of amazing creativity. In each chapter, noted scrapbook artist Jill Miller explores a particular tool, medium, or paper-crafting technique in three skill levels-Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced-and demonstrates how it can be used to produce several stunning, unique scrapbook pages. She shares a wealth of innovative yet simple applications for watercolors, acrylics, inks, metallics and iridescents, and foils. Scrapbookers will also find exceptional ideas for crackle and texture mediums; rubber stamps; folding; tearing, and cutting paper; creating 3D effects; and much more. Of course, every technique and hands-on lesson featured in this incredible guide is archivally safe and easy to follow, no matter what the level of expertise. What's more, page after page of fabulous full-color examples, including pages by Stampington Inspirations artists-on-call Carolyn Holt and Gaylynn Stringham, offer an unlimited treasury of inspirational ideas.

About the Author

Jill Miller is a designer and scrapbook artist whose work has appeared in Creating Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Better Homes and Gardens Scrapbooks Etc., and other scrapbooking and paper-crafts magazines. She has appeared on the newly launched television show DIY Scrapbooking (Do It Yourself Network) and has also created scrapbook pages for such arts-and-crafts materials manufacturers as Avery Dennison, Marvy, and Printworks. She lives in Yorba Linda, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823048985
• ISBN-13: 978-0823048984
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #398,043 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really original ideas, ahead of their time, July 10, 2003

By	Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

I had the privilege of taking two workshops with Jill Miller at my first-ever scrapbook convention, way back in the year 2000.
Both classes introduced me to techniques we now call "Shabby Chic," all the rage in the scrapbook world at the time of this writing, but totally unheard of nearly three years ago. I wish that all my many scrapbook classes and workshops since those first two had been half as innovative as Jill's.

I was delighted to see that she would be publishing a whole book of her ideas, and waited eagerly for its release, which was quite some time in coming. Now that I have the book, I can say I was not disappointed. It's substantial in size and content, something one does not always get in the world of scrapbooking idea books, about 130 pages long. I don't really understand why it hasn't received more attention, because it certainly deserves it.

The book is lavish in its color printing and detailed close ups of the sample layouts, which cover every page. Jill comes to scrapbooking from the world of stamping arts, and this is THE hot trend in scrapbooking these days. She covers techniques involving the various pearlized powders and shimmering paints, metals including paints and leafing, all manners of distressing your media, and the newly hot textures, including molding paste, embossing and lacquers. Each project sample is clearly labeled beginner, intermediate or advanced, allowing the artist to choose which level with which they feel most comfortable. Materials lists are very clear, as are directions.

My guess as to the reason for its quiet entry into the market is that since it was a long time in production, some of the layouts look a bit "dated" in this trend of the week hobby. As scrappers, don't we all reflect back upon our earlier work and laugh at how far we've come? I would not let that get in the way of purchasing this treasure trove of ideas and instruction, though. The layouts are all lovely and timeless in their appeal, and the directions will allow the reader to venture into new territory using whatever level they are at right now. I can say that this really is one of the most comprehensive and innovative books I've seen in this industry--strong praise for a hobby that lately has at least one new "idea" book a week of late. If you like to experiment and do your scrapbooks for the joy of creating, you will not be disappointed with what you find in these pages. (Gwyn is a scrapbook designer for Fibers By The Yard and Scrapbook Impressions)

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Gorgeous, If you only buy one idea book this year, March 8, 2003

By	Morgan and Piper's Mommy "Live each day as if..." (Orange, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Jill Miller is a magician. Not only has she made absolutely beautiful pages but they are easy to make. With her easy to follow detailed instructions, tons of tips and tricks, I plan on making just about every page she has. Since I am not of the creative mind I have to be a copy cat and I can't wait until my friends and family see what I copy from Jill's book. If you only buy one idea book or magazine, make this the book. It is filled with just about anything you could do on a scrapbook page. Thanks Jill!

41 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, but..., April 19, 2004

By	S. Prince "unilover36" (Varnell, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The lay-outs in this book are beautiful, but the authers idea of beginner is way off the mark. If you have already spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on scrapbooking supplies, this is a great book for you, but she is using techniques in this book that beginners wouldn't even have a clue about. The supplies that are suggested would be unknown to a beginner, and quite frankly, some intermediates also. If you are a seasoned veteran at scrapbooking, this is the book for you, but if you are a seasoned veteran, you probably already know all the tips and techniques in this book. I found this a much better picture book than reference book.