Tearing

The torn edge flows freely; a whimsical effect can be achieved by tearing elements that are added to the project instead of cutting with a straight edge or a predictable patterned decorative scissor.  Layer the torn elements to create depth that is celestial or aquatic. For a dramatic effect, accent the torn edge with color or embossing powder or fold the edges over and add Ranger’s Glossy Accents.

Lighthouse Tag: 

Cut blue cardstock 4-1/4" x 3”.  Tear strips of light and dark blue cardstock approximately 1-/2” (remove dash) wide; adhere the strips to the tag altering layers of color.  Trim edges. Accent the torn edge with a small amount of white journaling pen (Uniball Signo) (add period) Color the Wizard embossed lighthouse die cut with markers and chalk (add semicolon) and then tuck into the second layer of water. Cut a second lighthouse in pale yellow cardstock and use only the windows inserted into the white lighthouse.  Glue on a shell embellishment.

Folding

Create fun elements by folding strips of paper accordion style. 

Accordion Grass Card:  Cut Gin-X paisley paper 4” x 5-1/4”.  Stamp three The Angel Company flower silhouette images in StazOn blue ink.  Add a Making Memories pastel yellow snap to the center of each flower and draw a whimsical stem with a green marker. Cut a 1/2” strip of green cardstock, accordion fold the strip and attach to the card front with a temporary adhesive runner approximately 1/4” from bottom.  Use a sewing machine with white thread and straight stitch. Adhere the card front to a green card.

Don’t stop at folding a corner up; fold it back down again.

Silhouette Daisy Card:  Start with a card front 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” of textured teal metallic paper (August Art) then layer with KI Memories #1018 Stitched Stripes paper 4” x 5-1/4”. Fold the lower left corner up 1-1/2” and leave 1/4” then fold the corner back down.  Cover the white back of the paper with a 1/4” strip of the same paper glued into place. Glue the corner in place.  Embellish with a white fabric daisy attached with a copper mini brad. Stamp a Hearts In Touch silhouette image in brown StazOn ink.

Weaving

Although weaving adds handmade charm, and is a great way to incorporate splashes of color and texture, it can be cumbersome to manage loose strips of paper.  Achieve the same effects quickly by cutting lines into the background paper and waving the strips into the background. 

Woven and Wild:  Cut green cardstock 4” x 5-1/4”.  Use an Exacto knife to cut a 3” horizontal line about 1/2” from the left and centered, cut two more lines above and two below the center line. By cutting the lines longer than the area to be woven, it will make the weaving process easier. Weave the background with four 3-1/2” x-1/4” strips of green suede paper.  Push the strips to the left of the project and trim the ends at an angle. Stamp the Hearts In Touch Tiger image onto tan cardstock with Jet Black StazOn ink and shade with chalk.  Cut the image out and glue to the background to cover the slit areas that were not woven.  Embellish with shell beads and mat onto 5-1/2” x 4-1/4” canvass paper card front.

Crumple

Crumpled paper is interesting enough on it’s own. Spray with walnut ink and the color settles into the low spots or rub with an inkpad to add color to the high spots. 

Under the Sea:  Cut lavender cardstock 4” x 5-1/4”, submerge the cardstock into tepid water, remove it from the water and crumple. Let dry.  Spray with Moon Glow’s Shadow Mist Buccaneer Bay Blue and Treasure Island Aqua. Let dry. Rub a StazOn Blue pad over the crumpled paper. Stamp The Angel Company’s bold fish image with blue StazOn ink onto lavender cardstock, color the fish’s eye with gold metallic pen and cut out. Wrap green eyelash fibers and lumpy yarn (After Midnight Art Stamps) around the crumpled cardstock and mat onto lavender card.  Glue the fish image to the front of the card and embellish with a brass seashell charm (Fancifuls.com).

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