Buckles, Clasps and Hinges

Some of my favorite embellishments are old-fashioned items like buckles, clasps, and toggles. I also love to use hinges, hooks, picture holders, and other fascinating metal bits. Here are a few of the ways I have found to decorate my scrapbook pages with these little wonders.

Buckles:

• String a ribbon (or several ribbons) through a buckle like a belt.
• Use a thick buckle like the one shown above as a frame and highlight a letter at the beginning of a title by placing it inside the center of the buckle.
• Many buckles are just the right size to slip over a ribbon border.

Hinges:

• Attach hinges to your design with brads or eyelets.
• Use small hinges that open fully to make mini photo books or to hide journaling behind a photo mat.
• Attach journaling boxes or tags to the page with a series of hinges to create an interactive page with hidden surprises.

Clasps:

• Use a safety pin or hair barrette as a unique way to attach an element to your page.
• Mini clothespins or metal clips can be used to hold ribbon, journaling, tags or photos in place.

Hooks:

• Hang mini tags from small sewing hooks that have been sewn to your page.
• Place two hooks opposite each other on the page and attach a string of wire with beads between the two hooks for a decorative border.

Toggles:

• Add a set of toggles to a folded card to reveal a hidden note or memorabilia.
• Place each half of a toggle on opposite sides of the page. Wrap a fiber strand between them to create a border.

Picture Holders:

• Attach picture holders to your page with an eyelet or brad and then hang tags, photos, or even letters from the triangles.
• Tie ribbon or fibers to the triangles and attach the picture holder to the bottom of a photo mat as a dangling decorative embellishment.

Photo Anchors:

• Attach photo anchors to the page with a brad or eyelet.
• Use photo anchors as photo corners to adorn the edges of a special photograph.
• Photo anchors can be used to hold multiple ribbon strands in place beautifully along a border.

The possibilities are endless. Open up that sewing kit or hobby box and look upon your hooks, clasps, and hinges as just another wonderful lumpy page addition. Unlock that little latch and let your imagination step out to play.

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