Oh Why Not...


Maya Road Coaster Album, originally uploaded by heather_ales.

So many of my sweet Bella friends had questions about using chipboard while we were toiling away in our fabulous Prima Bella taught classes last weekend. Suprisingly many of my new friends haven't used chipboard simply because they don't know what to do with it. Wow - color me suprised! I have the lovely honor of being part of the Maya Road Design Team. I know - lots of fun! As a result, I've done a bit of work with chipboard.

In case you don't know, chipboard is an inexpensive thick board (like cardboard but much sturdier) embellishment that can be added to your art supply arsenal. It comes in a massive variety of sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. It can be purchased in sheets, pre-cut packaged sets, assembled albums, and a bunch of other ways..

When using chipboard, the main thing to keep in mind is that anything you can do to paper, you can do to chipboard (and even a few other things too!).

Here are a few ideas:
- Stamp background patterns on your chipboard with paint or ink.
- Put letters or numbers together to create a unique title.Try mixing up fonts and sizes for a totally different look.
- Use chipboard to make frames and photo mats.
- Use chipboard as covers for mini albums - or better yet use chipboard as an album (Maya Road has some AWESOME chipboard albums in a ton of shapes and sizes)
- You can staple chipboard, paint chipboard, sew on chipboard, add eyelets or brads to chipboard.
- Use negative chipboard pieces to stretch your alphabets!
- Paint chipboard with metallic acrylic paints - then sand to get a distressed look.
- Cover chipboard with patterned paper for a completely customized piece for your project!
- Paint your chipboard piece. Once it's dry cover it with your favorite wet adhesive and then sprinkle glitter ontop. Talk about gloriously glittery!

So... with all this chipboard talk, I'm going to share a bit of my Maya Road collection as Blog Swag. To win this lovely product selection, all you need to do is leave me a comment with either your favorite thing to do with chipboard, what you would like to learn to do with chipboard, or your reason for not using chipboard. I'll take entries through Sunday, November 18th. I'll have one of my glorious nieces or nephews choose a winner (of course it'll be over the phone, but I'll enjoy talking to them just the same).

16 comments:

Leslie said...

I love your coaster album, Heather! those are wonderful fall colors, and I really like the way the Hambly overlay looks on it!

I love to paint chipboard with the Ranger metallic paint dabbers because you can get great texture with them. After they dry, I will scratch the surface a few times and then rub distressing ink into the scratches. It's amazing how much like metal the chipboard looks after that!

It was great meeting you at Silver Bella!

Anonymous said...

right now I am enjoying painting my letters and doodling on them. That is not really that exciting but they do come out looking pretty neat. I have to really push myself and experiment more with the chipboard. I love your book, the whole look is so yummy. I have to try the big glittery letter thing-- I need to find some that is more chunky like yours!

Anonymous said...

I know there's a way to make chipboard look like epoxy, but I've never done it. Do you use diamond glaze or something like that? Can you mix glitter in with the glaze? If you've done this before please offer hints. :)
My best chipboard tip is pretty well known but it is to sand the edges off when adhering paper to chipboard instead of trying to cut exactly the same shape. Not only do you get an exact edge but it thins the edge of the paper so it doesn't peel up. Basic grey makes a set of shaped files that make it easy to do intricate shapes or you can tape sandpaper around a pencil also.
Stacy

Kim Caldwell said...

I love to use chipboard to create custom album covers. I made them for a pre-school album for my son. So easy to cover with patterned paper, paint, ink, glitter -- love it. Can't wait to get my hands on some of the chipboard crowns that are out. Yummy stuff!

Can you share with us what glitter you used for love? What a fab color!

SweetBellaBug said...

Hi! I actually started matting some of my photos on chipboard and then distressing the photo with sand paper. I like the depth it gives and the aged look :) BTW - your stuff is beautiful! Just love your "love"!!

lee said...

I love your album and I love the look of the letters! I agree with Stacy. I want to know how to make the chipboard look glossy. When I paint, the chipboard looks like painted cardboard. Not to pretty so I end up covering it with paper and distressing the edges. ): I will try the doodling and glitter, all great ideas.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Peace

Anonymous said...

I love your circular album--I've never seen one like that. I love chipboard and need to branch out and do some new things with it. My favorite thing to do with it is cover it with patterned paper and sand it off around the edges--makes great album covers, embellishments, and decorations.

Beth Leintz said...

The only chipboard I've used is coasters- I usually collage, glue on some 3-d stuff, and hole punch the top to make a hanger.

Wow- that sounds boring compared to what so many people are doing- I'll have to branch out.

Can you recommend a place to get Maya Road products online?

Maija said...

Oh yes count me in on your chipboard swag give away!
I've never even used it!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I'd never used it before the bella adventures. And now, I know it is great stuff. I'd love to win some!

Jenn said...

Great tutorial, Heather!! I love the album, you did a wonderful job on it. You don't have to enter my name in the drawing, but wanted to add that I love using Krylon leafing pens on chipboard. Plus I just wanted to say HI!!!

Pamela Jane said...

Great tutorial, Heather, and coaster album, too! The shaped chipboard albums are so much fun to play with, aren't they? Enjoyed meeting you at Silver Bella!

Kara said...

i love painting my chipboard and then using UTEE on it. i swear that i am addicted to UTEE and its like what? 5 years over!! ;)
awesome giveaway!

Kristy said...

That is really beautiful work!

I don't use chipboard because I don't have the skills or knowledge of how to use chipboard; however, I'm looking forward to purchasing your chipboard work at Simply Splendid on Etsy!

What the heck is UTEE? I feel like y'all are speaking another language.

;-)

Kristy said...

Oops ... I meant Something Splendid, not Simply! There is nothing Simple about your work! It should be Spectacularly Splendid.

Anonymous said...

Great album!

My favorite way to use chipboard is to paint it, then distress it. I love the way this makes it look aged and used. I also like to add ink to the edges to further distress it.

I'm so glad that we got to spend a little time together in our last class at Silver Bella. Thanks for all of your hard work with the board to keep us updated!!