Office Supply Brads (often labeled “paper fasteners”)
Paint
Paint Brush
Eyelet Hole Puncher
Sandpaper

Don't you just love it when your layout goes together like pieces to a puzzle? Several things make this happen such as textures, colors and design all fitting together. One way to accomplish this effort and finish off a layout is strategic placement of brads as your embellishment.

Brads can now be purchased at your local scrapbooking store in every color and design you can imagine. However, to save money, simply purchase your brads (often called ‘paper fasteners’) at the office supply store for minimum investment, or at Big Lots, like I did for 49 cents.

To fully complete your layout, try painting your brads to match and you can achieve a very coordinated look by including a tag or monogram. All you need are the office supply store brads, your favorite acrylic paint (this could be Memory Makers or what's left in the supply closet from the previous craft venture} and a paint brush. Select a paint that will match your layout, then paint the brads. With the Folk Art paint I chose, it only took moments to dry.

Once you’ve painted your brads, find exactly where you want to place the brads, and make your holes using the eyelet puncher. I have included a layout below, shown both with and without the brads. I like the brads as I feel that they more fully finish the layout.

without brads

with coordinating painted brads

Your could also take a small piece of sand paper from your hubby’s tool box if you wanted an aged look.

I hope you have fun experiencing brads in the days to come.

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