As the art of scrapbooking has evolved, the craft has gotten more creative and thinking “outside of the box” has almost become the expected norm. Publications, both paper and online, are constantly stretching our creative minds to try new and different things in our paper crafts. If you’ve already jumped on the bandwagon of trying the unique, or whether you’re just barely getting your toes wet, follow along for some ideas that will definitely have you taking a trip to the local hardware store.

This versatile tape can be found in hardware & home improvement centers

Let’s start with the basics. What is Aluminum Foil Tape? It is a basic pressure-sensitive tape, but it’s specially designed for metal, auto, and aluminum repair. Because of that factor, the tape actually looks like a roll of thick aluminum foil. Of course, the nice thing is that it already has adhesive so no glue is required. Where can you find it? If you don’t have some of this tape in your garage or toolbox, you can find it at a hardware store or home improvement center in the tape or HVAC departments. Once you are stocked with a large roll of this fantastic and shiny product…it’s time to get started.

Emboss It!

The tape having metal characteristics lends itself perfectly to dry embossing. Unfortunately the thickness of the tape combined with the backing make it nearly impossible to use a light box. However, embossing projects can still be completed. Simply “feel” around the template with a stylus and apply more pressure once a groove is found.

Piece 2 pieces of tape together to emboss an image larger than 2".

To create this Party Hat Card, begin with a brass embossing template (the one used here features a design measuring about 2 ¾” x 3”). Unfortunately, the tape is only 2” wide. To accommodate the template design, split the embossing onto two pieces of tape and then align the design as they are attached to a piece of black cardstock. The seam is slightly noticeable, but not unless you look closely. To finish off the card, add two layers of yellow vellum before attaching to a black card.

Distress It!

The fact that this tape is metal automatically makes it a bit masculine. However, add a few distressing techniques and it screams ALL BOY! Using the same brass embossing template as the project above, I embossed a strip of the tape with just the word “Celebrate”, not using the party hat design. This makes the card a bit more flexible, as well as eliminating the need to piece together two pieces of tape.

Distress the tape with sandpaper and black ink

After embossing, cover the tape with black ink. This can be done with an ink pad or with a black marker. A pigment ink works best and be sure not to use anything permanent. With an old rag or paper towel, wipe away the excess ink. This should leave some black around the embossed image, making it stand out more. Next, sand the edges of the tape. Do not sand directly over the embossed image. Different effects can be achieved by sanding in different directions. Apply another layer of ink, and wipe away. This part of the process can repeated as few or as many times as it takes to get the desired look. Once the look as been achieved, place Pop Up Glue Dots directly on the backing of the tape and adhere to patterned paper (Basic Grey). Attach paper to a white card. For a final touch, ink the edges of the card.

Rub It!

Transfer a textured design to the tape by rubbing over it with a popsicle stick.

Just as this tape lends itself to embossing, other textured designs can easily be transferred onto the metal tape. Before applying two strips of metal tape to this Fireman Party layout, they were “embossed” to look similar to the metal on the fire truck in the photographs. An exact match of the fire truck metal was not available but a woven chair seat proved to be a sufficient replacement. With a popsicle stick, rub the tape over the textured area to transfer the desired design. This can be done with the tape face up or face down depending on the look preferred.

Other supplies used on this layout include: Clay letters (created by my mom!), letter beads, eyelet letters (Making Memories), patterned paper, black pen (Marvy), and ribbon (Textured Trios).

Wrinkle It!

Wrinkle & crinkle the tape for a fun, dimensional look.

The Aluminum Foil Tape was used on this Scutin’ layout to highlight the shiny metal on the new scooter featured in the photographs. Begin by choosing a coordinating color of cardstock for the background base. For a 12”x12” layout, cut 7 pieces of tape, all slightly shorter than 12” but varying in length. Wrinkle and straighten each piece of tape. This can be repeated several times for a more wrinkled effect. The tape flattens out nicely, adding a lot of dimension without much bulk. The weight of the tape combined with the backing also makes it less likely to tear than using a standard piece of aluminum foil.

To create the photo frame, begin by picking a focal point photo and crop to size, if desired. Cut a piece of tape the length of the photo and then cut the tape in half length-wise. For instance, if the photo is 6” long, cut a piece that length. By then cutting it lengthwise, the result should be two pieces measuring 6” long and 1” wide (tape is originally 2” wide). Place half the width of one strip along the edge of the photo and fold the other half around to the back. Repeat this on the other side of the photo. Repeat these steps with a piece of tape cut to the width of the photo and attach to the top and bottom of the picture. The result should be a four-sided metal frame. *Corners can also be mitered by cutting at a 45-degree angle prior to attaching.

Complete layout by adding additional photographs and elements. Other supplies used on this page include: License plate stickers (Sticker Studio), corner rounder (Creative Memories), metallic rub-ons (Craft-T Products), black pen (Marvy), and clear embossing powder (Stampendous).

Create It!

Cut letters and numbers from the tape for an interesting title.

On the layout 2 More Fords, aluminum foil tape was used in two different areas to coordinate with the shiny metal of the photographed cars. A basic strip of the tape with no additional techniques is a simple addition to a border of torn cardstock. Metallic rub-ons add even more shine to the border. The number “2” was drawn backwards, by hand, on the back of a strip of the tape and cut out as part of the title. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this by hand, you can print a letter or number backwards on your computer and use it as a template. Silver letters and staples used on this layout carry out the idea of the shiny silver metal.

Other supplies used on this page include: Patterned paper (red: Colorbok, numbers: Die Cuts with a View), ribbon (Textured Trios), standard staples, plain vellum, black pen (Marvy), block metal letters (Die Cuts with a View), silver letter stickers (Frances Meyer), metallic rub-ons (Craft-T Products)

Additional Ideas:

• Consider using other “shiny” accents on a layout to compliment the shine of the metal tape, such as heat embossing, crystal lacquer or diamond glaze. The journaling on Scutin’ was heat embossed with clear powder.

• Metallic rub-ons, papers or gel pens are a perfect compliment to this shiny tape. Don’t hesitate to mix gold accents with the silver. You can also add other metal accents, such as staples, charms, hinges, paper clips, etc.

• To cover larger areas, or create larger designs, piece together several pieces of tape.

• Don’t feel obligated to use this tape only on masculine pages or with photos including metal. Try doing something outside of the box, such as combining the tape with soft pink shades for a baby girl layout, or add it to a heritage layout.

• If you are in a pinch with no time to run to the hardware store, these same looks can be achieved with regular aluminum foil. However, keep in mind that it will tear more easily than the tape.