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Crafts That Can Be Used With Scrapbooks & Cards

There are a vast range of crafts and techniques that can be used in your paper craft projects. As a scrapbooker, the best piece of advice would be 'you're only limited by your imagination'. Here's a few to get you going but do keep in mind that when using these techniques with photographs you should always use materials that are acid free.

Decoupage

A popular technique that became common in Victorian times by adhering paper cut-outs and illustrations onto a surface. Cut-outs can be used from such items as books, magazines, newspapers, fabric, wrapping paper, greeting cards, computer generated images and manufactured papers. Each layer is sealed with varnish or glue.

Embossing: Dry

Dry Embossing, also known as relief embossing is used to create a relief or raised image to paper, vellum and card stock. Dry embossing works best on heavier card and vellums rather than light weight papers as they can tear easy. Achieved by applying pressure to paper using a stencil and a stylus tool to trace the edges. Impressions can be left plain or coloured by using paints, chalks and glitters.

Embossing: Heat

Heat embossing, also called thermal embossing creates a raised image using ink and powder. Rubber stamps are most commonly used for heat embossing by applying pigment ink to the stamp, then sprinkling embossing powder onto the image. Dust off any excess powder, by gently tapping the under side of the paper or by brushing lightly with a paint brush. By applying heat to the image you will now melt the embossing powder to create a smooth, shiny 3D effect. The best way to heat an image is with a heat gun, however you can use a toaster too.

Embroidery/Sewing/Applique

Stitching either by hand or by sewing machine. There are many ways that you can encorporate these techniques, from stitching ornamental shapes and designs, to running a simple backstitch across the page to outlining a particular element with thread/wool/fibre. Needlework can also include elements such as beading and sequins.

Foiling

This technique involves applying foil to a surface to create any type of pattern, lettering and shapes. Apply adhesive or double sided tape to the surface. With an embellishing adhesive paint your desired design. Lastly cover with foil and gently rub to leave a metallic imprint.

Gilding

Very similar to foiling, this technique involves using metal gilding leaves. Available in colours such as gold, silver, copper, bronze and aluminium. Start by covering your surface with a gilding adhesive, then leave to dry. Once the coating is clear apply the gilding leaf to the area then simply brush away any excess.

Inking

Inking is most commonly used by swiping an ink pad over your element/paper. Experiment with different dragging and stroke techniques to achieve varying results.

Iris Folding

This envolves folding and then layering paper, known as Iris Folding because the central point of the folding resembles that of the iris of a camera or an eye. Fold strips of paper in half and then lay them into a pattern. When first starting out, look online for free design templates to help you.

Mosaic

Typically thought of as a design made up of pieces of tiles/glass, mosiac designs can be encorporated into paper craft too. Use equally sized squares of paper or photos to lay out a mosaic design on your page.

Origami

The Japanese art of paper folding. Often starting with a square piece of paper, dimensional shapes are created by folding techniques. Usually no cutting or gluing is required but certainly can be done to help create different designs.

Paper Tole

Traditionally whereby the artist creates a three dimensional picture, using several sheets of the same picture. Use the sheets to cut out areas of the picture and then layer on a base copy, to create a picture that appears to 'jump out' at you. Paper Tole can get extemely intricate or kept quite simple, depending on the design you choose.

Punch Art

The use of mechanical paper punches to create a variety of shapes. Create simple shapes such as circles and stars, or borders, corners and everyday shapes such as cars and animals. Punches come in a variety of sizes and punch aids are available too.

Quilling

The use of strips of paper, rolled into coils to create designs and images by shaping and gluing. Strips can be cut from paper or ready purchased.

Tea Bag Folding

Traditionally the art of using tea bags to cut and fold into equal squares and creating symmetrical and kaleidoscopic designs. Most tea bag folding is now completed with patterned paper.

Other crafts that can be encorporated into your paper crafts include;