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HOT NEW TITLES
from Cantata Books!

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Point and click. That’s all you need to know to whip up creative memory crafts. This new book will help you turn your digital photos into meaningful works of art. Plus, it has all the tutorials you need to help you get the most from your digital camera, software, and printer. Included with the book is a DVD that contains a trial version of Adobe® Photoshop® Elements and four exclusive designer digital scrapbooking kits.

joy of scrapbooking
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This massive 304-page volume is an absolute must for your scrapbook library. Whether you're new to the craft or a certifiable addict, this is the "encyclopedia of scrapbooking" you'll refer to again and again! Paperback.

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Altering Without Sewing

Gee...It's a painted Karate gi! Anything goes with fabric paint.

Sometimes you need a quick fix. Sometimes you need fast and fabulous. Look to the following for inventive ideas:

Safety pins

Always keep a few safety pins in your purse. Should you lose a button, split a seam or see your boss walk in to your favorite Friday-night hangout and feel compelled to tighten the neckline of your blouse, a safety pin or two will totally save your butt. They also work great to “hem” pants in a pinch or cinch a loose-fitting skirt. If you are cinching a blouse, consider hot-gluing a silk flower on to the top of the pin to hide it’s utilitarian appearance—this could also be used as a brooch.

Fabric paint

Dimensional fabric paint comes in tons of colors, some even glow in the dark. You can apply from the thin-tipped bottle or you can dilute the paint with water and then paint it on. You can also use fabric spray-paint and stencils to create graffiti.

Ribbon

Use ribbon to gussy up a zipper pull or, if the fabric is thin enough, cut or punch holes into it and lace ribbon through (remove ribbon before washing). Cut holes in the sleeves of a T-shirt and weave multiple pieces of ribbon through, tying in pretty bows. Self-adhesive ribbon can be used (check your local scrapbook store) as well, but it’s iffy as to whether or not it will hold up in the wash. Great for jazzing up the trim on a jacket or vest.

Appliqués and iron-ons

These easy-does-it wonders can be used to spruce up a thrift-store find or to hide a clothing blemish. Don’t just think embroidered patches and glittering designs, think sparkles and jewels, too.

Ribbon

Use ribbon to gussy up a zipper pull or, if the fabric is thin enough, cut or punch holes into it and lace ribbon through (remove ribbon before washing). Cut holes in the sleeves of a T-shirt and weave multiple pieces of ribbon through, tying in pretty bows. Self-adhesive ribbon can be used (check your local scrapbook store) as well, but it’s iffy as to whether or not it will hold up in the wash. Great for jazzing up the trim on a jacket or vest.

Appliqués and iron-ons

These easy-does-it wonders can be used to spruce up a thrift-store find or to hide a clothing blemish. Don’t just think embroidered patches and glittering designs, think sparkles and jewels, too.

Duct tape

We at the Chick’s Guide have actually seen duct-tape fashion shows (removal was not pretty). If you’re not into using the miraculous supply as a set of pasties, try it to hem your clothes. You could also use it to make bags or wallets.

No-sew products

Several products exist to help you out of a sewing jam. Dritz No Sew 4 Part Snaps fasten to clothing with little prongs. You just gotta hammer them in there. Sew No More Liquid Adhesive can be used to repair holes as a quick fix, but reviews vary on its results.

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