Want to add soft effects to your pages and add extra emphasis to the edges of letters and die-cuts? Try highly-pigmented chalks instead of paint or markers. Designer Lauren Johnston shares her ideas with host Sandi Genovese. - Apply chalk along the edge of paper to enhance edges and intensify the dimensional appearance of layered elements. This technique is especially effective when used along paper edges that have been hand-torn (figure A). Johnston uses this technique to create the appearance of a wave on her "Catalina" page. Tip: Keep in mind that chalk provides the desired enhancement on pages with greater "tooth", or texture. Chalk isn't effective on glossy surfaces. It simply won't adhere well.
- Next, use chalk to shade stamped images (figure B). Johnston uses a light blue shade to softly accent a fish stamped in darker blue. Tip: If chalk is accidentally applied outside the lines of the stamp, simply use an eraser to remove. Alternately, chalk can also be applied over an "invisible" ink (such as Versamark) to create a softly-colored watermark.
- For creative chalked letters, consider altering large letters and applying two shades of chalk that match the overall color scheme of the page. Johnston draws waves in the title letters of her "Catalina" page and fills the sections with two shades of blue (figure C).
- Chalk is a great way to color and shade a black-and-white or vintage photograph that has been copied onto paper.
- Finally, consider using chalk to create subtle background color.
Catalina Page Note: These instructions and materials will create a 2-page spread. Materials: Highly-pigmented decorative chalk
Chalk sponge applicators or cotton swabs
Chalk eraser
12" x 12" sky blue texture cardstock
12" x 12" parakeet cardstock
12" x 12" medium blue texture cardstock
12" x 12" navy cardstock
Ivory cardstock
Tropical fish craft punch
Memory glue
Computer font (for title, Johnston selected "groovy")
Butterfly fish rubber stamp
Cobalt Waterproof Dye Ink
Ruler
Portable paper trimmer
Scissors
Black archival fine-line pen
- Print title from computer software (or hand-letter title) on ivory cardstock.
- Then, trim printed font to desired size and mat with navy cardstock. Use fine-line black pen to draw waves within borders of each letter (if desired).
- Then, use chalk applicator to fill in letters with one or two shades of blue chalk. Remove any mistakes with chalk eraser.
- Use medium blue, parakeet and navy paper to form waves. Hand-tear waves and use contrasting chalk to emphasize torn edges.
- Punch fish is same three colors of blue and chalk the edges. Tip: Before chalking, determine which direction fish will face.
- Use trimmer to crop photos as desired. Use desired colors of blue cardstock and memory glue to mat the photos.
- Use cobalt blue ink to stamp butterfly fish. Chalk head, tail and center portion of fish using a complementary shade of blue.
- Adhere the photos, waves, punched fish and titles using memory glue.
- Use fine-line black pen to journal as desired.
Die-cuts/templates provided by Ellison Craft & Design. For more information about Ellison, see Resources. Click here for DIY's Scrapbooking Glossary.
RESOURCES :
Die-Cuts and Templates (Ellison Craft & Design)
Cropping and cutting system are not available
Ellison
Website: www.ellison.com
Chalks, applicators, and chalk erasers
Craf-t Products, Inc.
Website: www.craf-tproducts.com
GUESTS :
Lauren Johnston
Designer
E-mail: heeltoto@hotmail.com
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