Creating with Rub-ons

Creating with rub-ons can be a lot of fun. You can use them on so many things. It is simply transfering the image to another item. On this layout I used them on paper, buttons, and plastic.

Rub-ons can also used on things like: jars, metal tins, glass bottles, picture frames, ribbon, pictures, etc.

It is important  to remember that some companies make their rub-ons with a little bit of sticky substance on the back to hold it in place on your project, so be sure to cut the image you want away from the rest of them before transfering.

After I cut out the image I wanted, I removed the back lining, placed it on my plastic piece and used a wood stick to rub across the image.

 Notice in the photo below, everywhere I have already rubbed, is a lighter color. That is how I know the transfer is working.

After I transfered the house image to my plastic piece I flipped it over so the rub-on was on the back side of the plastic. Then I added some ribbon and attached it to my layout.

Next I added rub-ons to some buttons. On the first button I added a small heart. .

On the other 2 buttons for my layout I covered the whole button with a print and cut away the image that hung over the edge.

These tickets were Maya Road rub-ons. First I distressed kraft Cardstock with vintage photo distress ink, then transfered my rubons and cut out the tickets to make them stand out on my page.

The title is also rub-on letters.

-LaDonna

2 page layout with Melissa Frances papers

It started with this shimmery flower that LaDonna made the other day. (We have these available in the store for just $1.79). I knew I wanted to use it on a layout, so I started looking for coordinating paper, then appropriate photos. It doesn't always start with the photos for me.

I knew I was going for a distressed look on these pages,

so I started by sanding the edges of the photos.

After double matting the photo, I used the

Heidi Swapp edge distressor to grunge up the matting.

Then inked the edges with the Colorbox chalk ink in Chestnut Roan.

I peeled the backing off the felt fusion strip and used two pieces in the corner, slightly overlapping the photo.


I ran some burgandy Distressed Stickles along the torn edge of the matting background.

Then added this My Mind'e Eye rub-on to the Tim Holtz journaling ticket that was just the right size.
I like the large chipboard letters and decided to cover them with coordinating paper.

I sprayed the back of the paper for strong, even coverage.
Adhered the paper to the back of the chipboard letters

and trimmed then filed around the edges.

Sometimes I ink around the edges of covered chipboard, but with the small center openings, I decided to use a tombow marker. I strongly recommend holding the marker behind the letter and running the tip around the edges from the back side. That way when the pen slips, (and it occasionally will) you will only leave a mark on the back of the letter.

The rest of the letters were cut with the Cricut from coordinating paper.

The papers were too similar and the letters really faded into the background.

So, I traced around them with our favorite white pen (Signo).

I attached the clear butterflies with brads and added self adhesive pearls to their wings.

Used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the tickets and added

my favorite Maya Road sequined ribbon.

After all of that I took the photo and realized that the letters still didn't show up enough.

I got out the green glaze pen and colored in each letter.

See how the design of the paper still shows through the green.

To finish the layout dark green tags from the Melissa Frances line were added and a couple of those butterfly rubons from Chatterbox.

Looking back at the steps, it kind of seems like a lot for just one layout, but I wasn't in any kind of hurry, just having fun along the way.