Distressed Paper

The distressed paper technique can add both dimension and interest to your scrapbook pages and handmade greeting cards.

"One may survive distress, but not disgrace
~Scottish Proverb"

Do you like adding texture to your scrapbooking layouts and cards? If you haven't already met the Distressing Tool, this is your lucky day!

This card making tool is one of the handiest little gadgets around. The one I have is from Stampin' Up! and is shaped like a circle with notches cut out of it. It has a soft button in the middle that makes gripping the tool easier when you want to rough up your cardstock or designer paper. It comes with three other cutting and scoring tools which makes it very handy indeed.

Some of these kinds of tools only have one notch, and I wonder if the razor edge would lose its sharpness quicker than the multi-notched ones? Having the Stampin' Up! one with more razor surfaces to work with is a definitie advantage, in my opinion.

In the middle of the notched circle of my tool is a sharp razor edge that can be used to make the distressed edges on your paper.

Take the tool in your hand and run the edge of your paper or cardstock through one of the notches so that the razor edge scuffs the paper as you draw it through the tool. You will wind up with a slightly curled, frayed look.

Of course you can also achieve this look by using your fingernail against the edge of the paper and roughing it up that way. I sometimes use that method when I want a more random look to my embellished edges. A tool makes things quicker and there's less stress on your fingernails, though. Someone once told me my fingernails should be jewels, not tools. Lol!

Distressed paper is a great way to add texture and interest to your scrapbooking pages, handmade greeting cards, ATCs and 3-d paper craft projects. If you haven't already tried this technique, why not give it a go?

Top of page

New! Comments