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TECHNIQUES
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TEARING PAPER
Here’s a secret. The quickest way to trim cardstock, design a background or size an accent is simply tear it! Create decorative edges in seconds with just your fingertips or the aid of a specially-designed ruler. Achieve diverse looks merely by varying your tearing style.
Variation 1: For a long tear with a wide torn edge, simply grasp the cardstock in the fingertips of both hands and pull them in opposite directions.
Variation 2: For a jagged, but controlled tear, place the cardstock on a flat surface and hold it with one hand while using the thumb and index finger of your other hand to make smaller, slower tears.
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HOW TO MEASURE AND CUT A PHOTO MAT
Give photos added definition or decoration with a photo mat cut from cardstock, patterned paper or other materials. Whether you’d prefer narrow, wide, tailored or torn styles, these basic steps will help you produce a multitude of mats.
Step 1: Place your photo on cardstock or other matting material.
Step 2: Determine how wide you want the border to be, then use a pencil and ruler to create cropping lines at each corner.
Step 3: Insert the cardstock into your paper trimmer (or use a craft knife and ruler) and cut all four sides.
Variation: For fast photo mats, adhere your photo to the cardstock first, then simply “eyeball it” using the tracks in your paper trimmer to make even cuts on all four sides.
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SANDING
Change the face of patterned paper, cardstock and pre-made accents with easy sanding techniques. Using sandpaper, a wire brush or steel wool, just rub, buff or scratch a material’s surface to wear it away.
Step 1: Place the item to be sanded on a piece of white scrap paper. (If you use a piece that’s colored, its tint may transfer onto the item you’re sanding.)
Step 2: Hold the sandpaper in your dominant hand while holding the item down with the other. Rub the sandpaper against the item with short strokes. The grain of the sandpaper and direction of your sanding can affect the result. While a fine grain will gently distress the surface, a coarse grain can be used in long strokes for a “scratched” look or in two different directions for a “cross-hatch” finish.
Step 3: Use a tissue to wipe away any gritty residue.
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AGING WITH WALNUT INK
Age the look of patterned paper, cardstock and pre-made accents with
walnut ink. Simply mix 1/2 tablespoon ink crystal to 1 cup of hot water to desired strength.
Let dissolve 20 minutes
Variation 1: For tea stain effect, wipe or brush surface using weak solution.
Wring out excess (save to reuse), let dry. Repeat for darker hue if desired.
Variation 2: Aged
page effect, dip, brush or wipe the surface of the paper. Crumple page into a ball.
Unfold, smooth it out. Brush on diluted walnut ink, let settle into creases.
Let dry or use heat gun to speed drying.
Variation 3: Vintage letter effect, write with walnut ink in shallow wide script.
Let dry. Sprinkle with drops of water. The ink will run in wet areas. Absorb excess water with paper towel, let dry.
Or try sprinkling just a few crystals on dry paper to create foxing spots.
Variation 4: Crackle effect, apply 2 coats thick clear embossing powder to paper or tag.
Place item in freezer until hard. Bend paper in several directions to crack the surface.
Dip in walnut ink so it gets in cracks. Wipe, let dry. Can also be wiped over other crackle medium products.
If you put a few coats of embossing powder on a deeply aged tag or piece of card stock, it will give the appearance of burled wood.
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PREPARE QUOTES
Quotes are undoubtedly a good way to fill the page when you are short
of words.
Step 1: Download the MSWord files
on the left panel. and open the document in MSWords.
Step 2: Change
the fonts and colour where necessary. Then print on vellum or cardstock.
Variant 1: For vintage look, use
the walnut ink to rub the edge of the quote.
Variant 2: To make the quote stand out, stick the quote onto
another piece of paper. Black or ash brown or any darker paper would give
the better effect.
Variant 3: For slide mounts, cut the
quote to size and it into the slides.
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