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Cardstock/Paper Techniques

                 Maximizing Cardstock        Holographic Cardstock        Other Techniques

Maximizing Cardstock Use

Source: Fran of The Frantic Stamper

My tip for today involves 12"x12" papers. Many stampers tell me they don't like to buy 12x12 background papers because they feel they will be wasting some when they use it on cards. Not so.....

Say you have a 12"x12" piece of paper and you want to make card layers that are 1/4" smaller than the card. Your layers will be 5" x 3.75". From a 12"x12", you will be cutting 3 strips that are 3.75" wide.

Cut each of those strips to 5". That will give you SIX layers + left over pieces.

Your left over pieces are:

•   1 strip 12" x 3/4" wide --- perfect for 2 accent borders, or paper strip piecing, or paper weaving
•   2 pieces 2" x 3.75" --- there are many things you can do with these, including: layering words, glue on the envelope for the address label (if a pastel color), cut into 2" squares for mosaic, etc...

Another Idea:
When making 6"x6" cards -- you can get 4 layers (instead of just 2 out of a 8.5"x11" sheet) and still have 2 nice long strips left over.

For my money, I much prefer all that to a 8.5"x11" sheet. Not to mention, there are so many more cool patterns available in 12"x12".

Source: Annette
7 standard cards from one 8.5 x 11 sheet:

Begin by random stamping a 8.5 x 11" white piece of cardstock.

1. Cut the 8.5 x 11" into two 8.5 x 5.5" pieces.

2. Take one 8.5 x 5.5" piece:

A. Cut one 5.5 x 4.25" piece
B. Cut one 5.5 x 2.25" piece
C. Cut one 5.5 x 2" piece

3. Take the other 8.5 x 5.5" piece:

D. Cut one 5.5 x 4.25" piece and trim into a 5 x 3.75" piece (cut long side first)
E. Save thin strip from D and use for E

4.Cut the other 5.5 x 4.25" piece into 5.5 x 2.25" & 5.5 x 2" for F & G

F. 5.5 x 2.25" cut in half - makes 2 - 1 1/8 x 5.5" pieces.
G. 5.5 x 2"

Now make the SEVEN cards:

A. Adhere a 5.5 x 4.25" random stamped front on a folded 8.5x5.5" white card.
Stamp and cut out 2 accent pieces from whatever stamp set you used to random stamp.
2.25 x 2.25" white cardstock - Stamp with a saying.
2.5 x 2.5" colored cardstock
Cut one 1.75" square of colored cardstock - cut into 2 triangles.
Cut one 1.75" square of coordinating colored cardstock - cut into 2 triangles.

B. Random stamp front of 8.5 x 5.5" folded white cardstock with Leaves and Balloon String.
5.5 x 2.25" Random stamped piece
2.75 x 5.5" colored cardstock - cut edges with decorative scissors
then adhere Random stamped piece on it.

C. Random stamp front of 8.5 x 5.5" folded white cardstock with Stoneware texture & Balloon String.
Cut 5.5 x 1" colored cardstock for edge of C piece. Cut 1 edge with decorative scissors.
Cut 2.25 x 2.25" white cardstock - stamped with a saying.
Cut 2.5 x 2.5" colored cardstock
Ribbon

D. 5 x 3.75" Random Stamped piece on a 8.5 x 5.5" folded white cardstock
5.25 x 4" colored cardstock
2.25 x 2.25" white cardstock - stamped with a saying
2.5 x 2.5" colored cardstock
Ribbon

E. Two Random Stamped pieces on colored cardstock 5.5 x 1"
Then on 5.5 x 1.25" coordinating colored cardstock random stamp on white with Heartdust.
Stamp 2 daisies and 5 leaves (or comparable accents) and cut them out.
A 8.5 x 5.5" folded white cardstock

F. Random stamp on a 8.5 x 5.5 folded white cardstock with Heartdust.
2.75 x 5.5" colored cardstock - glue on strips
Stamp a saying on one strip.
Put on card - slanted and trimmed.
Ribbon

G. Random Stamp 8.5 x 5.5" folded white with Stoneware.
3.5x5.5"colored cardstock
Use decorative scissors to cut edges.
Use cut-off edge on outside
Center the random stamped piece (G) on colored cardstock.
2.25 x 2.25" white - stamp with a saying
2.5 x 2.5" colored cardstock.

Holographic Cardstock

Source: Kim Hannan, New Orleans LA

Make your own holographic card stock! The dollar store always has a super selection of these gorgeous holographic tissues for gift wrapping. I got a pack of two sheets 20" x 27.5" with a cool shape that looks like it's moving when you shift it a bit. If you want to make it into cardstock...run a piece of cardstock through your xyron and put the tissue (it's more like a mylar) on the adhesive side!

Voila...a piece of holographic card stock for pennies!

This also works with the pretty gift wrap tissues there are so many of... use USED tissues! It creates a super look!

Source: Terri S.

I was up north last week and purchased some beautiful huge foil gift bags for .74 cents.( I still cannot find the cent sign on my computer). There were many different colors to choose from. They were the ones that have the 3D effect. I hate to cut them up, but I can get at least 6 sheets of background paper plus! They are gorgeous and just the perfect weight. I can hardly wait to start creating.

Other Cardstock Techniques

Source: Pat Huntoon via Connie

My offered technique today is titled "Split Negative"

This is very simple and easy to do. You need 2 colors of cardstock or paper and 2 matching colors of embossing powder. I will use the words "black" and "white" but you may use any colors you choose to make this work.

1. Cut your cardstock or paper into 2 equal pieces.
2. Without attaching, place your 2 pieces side-by-side.
3. Ink your stamp with embossing ink.
4. Stamp image in center of the 2 pcs. you have laid next to each other, making sure to get half on each piece.
5. Emboss all "white" cardstock with "black" embossing powder.
6. Emboss all "black" cardstock with "white" embossing powder.
7. adhere pieces to background in the same pattern as they were stamped.
You may also do this technique using 4 pieces cut into quarters, making sure to stamp image in dead center. Another twist is to mat each color with the contrasting color.

Source: Unknown

I take a piece of tissue paper, brayer ink on the tissue paper from a multicolored ink pad. Crumple up the tissue paper and then flatten it out again. Then, spritz water on a piece of card stock, put the tissue paper on the cardstock and spritz it again. Pat the tissue paper on the cardstock, then remove it. You can use it a couple of times. Makes an awesome watercolor background!

Source: Jean Swanson

Paper Batik Technique
Supplies:
white Mulberry paper
clear pigment ink
clear embossing powder
iron
craft sheet
heat tool (foil covered board-optional)
stamps
re-inkers
water
fine mist sprayer bottles
tray
newsprint paper

Mix drops of reinkers with water in spritzer bottles....mix several colors in separate bottles
stamp mulberry paper using clear ink and emboss with clear powder and heat with heat tool
put embossed mulberry paper in tray and sprtiz with different colors
place between 2 sheets of newsprint paper and iron on top of craft sheet till embossing powder melts in newsprint paper. iron until it is easy to remove from newsprint.

Source: Joyce Kitchel

Fun and easy backgrounds

•   Use the round eraser on the end of a new pencil to put dots on your card. Simply ink the eraser as you would a stamp and dot, dot, dot. This is great confetti for birthday cards.
•   Pressed Flower Background: Take 2 pieces of cardstock, lay one on your stamping surface, then pull apart some "juicy" flowers and spread out the petals on the cardstock. Then place the 2nd piece on top and roll with your acrylic brayer. This will press out the color from the flowers onto the cardstock.
  
•   Apply marker to baby wipes or damp paper towel and wipe across paper.
  
•   Rip pieces of paper and scatter on a piece of paper or cardstock. Go over the paper with an inked brayer, then remove pieces of paper.
  
•   Crinkle up any patterned tissue paper (really wad it up so it is REALLY crinkled!) Flatten it out. Place decorated side down and place freezer paper shiny side down on top of tissue paper. Iron back of freezer paper on fairly low setting so that the stickiness of the freezer paper adheres to the tissue paper. You now have a cool sheet of background paper! Note: If you do a whole sheet and then cut into pieces you may have to reheat the edges.
  
•   Take 2 pieces of wax paper. Turn one piece wax side up and sprinkle some glitter, embossing powder, pieces of crayon (use a vegetable peeler to peel off slivers) dried flower petals, etc. on it. Cover it with the second piece - wax side down. Iron at a medium hot setting. The two pieces will stick together and you will have an interesting piece of background paper or paper for collage.

Source: Marilyn Rose

I love black and tan paper. I really love printed black and tan paper. So, I often make black and white copies of prints I like, or take black and white paper I already have, trip right over to the copy shop and run my copies onto tan paper. Instant beautiful color paper and cardstock. $.10 a sheet.
You can do it with anything . This time I made some black and orange little polka dot card stock and some black dog paws on orange card stock. I've stamped easter eggs in outline on white paper. I then use pastels and run the cardstock off. I usually use my great colored pencils and color a few of the eggs in.

Some places will do it for you at the cheapest price of $.06 or $.08 cents a copy. I live near a staples and to have them do it instead of you it costs $.14 cents even if you bring your own paper..Hummmn!
Anyway Have fun..!!! making your own printed background paper.

Source: Sheila DeGraff

If you are anything like me, you have half the world in love with you. Why you ask? Because there are presents galore right in the "trash mail" we all receive. (I believe I am the one with the most!). Every week I get another credit card company begging for my business. Don't throw those cards away!!! Use them to scrape the shaving cream off your cards when you use that technique. Or use your decorative scissors to cut the edges - they make a nice design when pulled through wet embossing powder or ink on glossy paper.

Have you ever had stores send you fancy invitations? Did you notice they usually have a nice piece of vellum or textured tissue paper inside? How about all those internet disc?? Come on, use your imagination!

Join me in emptying the dumps of trash... RECYCLE!!!

Source: Linda F.

If you make a colorful background to stamp on (e.g. direct to paper, brayered, Posh Sponges, watercolors/Twinkling H2Os) and would like a layer to match, cut the center out of the background to stamp on or cut it up and stamp several small images. Add a layer in a coordinating color over the 'frame' that's left, then mount stamped image(s).

An easy way to cut out the center is with a Fiskars cutter. Cut out the center, leaving a 1/2" frame, by lining up the right edge with the marking 1/2" to the right of the cutting groove. Push the cutter into the center and slide it up, then down, until the top/bottom edge of the blade holder is even with the top/bottom edge of your background piece. Rotate & repeat on the other 3 sides. If you need a larger 'frame', measure & mark on the back. Draw all lines all the way to the edges. Use the left/right arrows on the cutter to know where to stop cutting, aligning them with the lines perpendicular to the cut you are making. If a cut is a little past a line, the over cut will be hidden with the layer you put over it & your cut out piece will have perfectly cut corners.

Source: Marilyn Rose Zocco

With so many image swaps around, I thought it may be a good time to give a tip or two to some of our newbies on coloring images.
Really nice cards can change to really wonderful cards simply by using color effectively.

1. Decide if you want colors to complement each other or contrast.
Complement... Light mauve, soft celery and dusty lilac.
Contrast...Deep dark purple, moss green, and Sunflower.

2. What ever medium you are using, chalks, pencils, watercolor, markers, etc., use three like colors on each image. A light, medium, and dark. ( Or apply the color lightly then heavier in some spots and even heavier still in shaded areas.) Nothing makes a pumpkin more round and plump then using shadow and light when coloring. Really lightest on the surface closest to the viewer.
Darker around the sides. Even darker toward the bottom and in the dimple where the stem's attached. Vein those leaves with a darker shade. Even icy white snow people look more vivacious with an addition of cool light blue in the areas where their pieces join.

3. Always start with the lightest color and build to darker. You can always add more color but it's difficult to remove.

Be bold try colors together you might never think go together. Rust and turquoise. Lime and gray. You never know when you'll find a winner.

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Site last updated December 4, 2004