Paper Twists Issue 3

Written and Created by PaperCraftCentral Susan

It's time for Paper Twists Issue 3.

Have you ever tried to make a quilled card? It is a lovely way to make embellishments for your projects. This month I made a special friend her wedding card using quilling. You can make all sorts of shapes from the basic elements of quilling.

Quilling is a craft that requires you to use only three items - thin, even strips of paper, a quilling tool (like a darning needle pushed into a handle, or a split pin pushed into a handle) and some glue that will dry clear.

Welcome to Paper Twists Issue 3!

Here's what you will find in Paper Twists Issue 3:

• Paper Quilling
• A Product Review
• A Money Saving Tip
• Poll Results - which stamp set was the most popular?
• A Special Stamp Offer
• New project ideas at PaperCraftCentral.com
• Paper cupcakes - look under Craft Event
• Texturised flowers - look under Craft EventsHow to Host a Scrapbook Crop - look under WHat's the Buzz?
• How to Use Ink and Paint with your Brayer - look under What's the Buzz?
• Baby Boy Card - look under Special Occasion Cards - Baby Cards 2
• A way to use your Jigsaw Paper Punch - look under PaperCraft Tools
• Viewer's answers to the question about how to find a way to print your own 12 x 12 paper scrapbook designs for sale - look under Ask Susan

And more!

May I extend a special welcome to you if you are a new subscriber to Paper Twists! I decided to make Paper Twists Issue 3 generally available to let people who have not yet subscribed have a preview of what it is like to be a subscriber. If you would like to opt in to receiving issues of Paper Twists you can do so now.

Here we are half way through the year already. How are your papercraft projects coming along? Are you thinking about Christmas Cards yet? It's never too soon to start them if you want to have a good supply on hand in time! I've joined a swap to make some early Christmas cards so look out for them appearing soon on PaperCraftCentral.

Maybe we could think of some cards for Christmas with paper quilling on them. Is this a new technique for you? If you would like to use it for Christmas cards, there's still some time left to practice this technique.

Paper Quilling or Paper Filigree

Did you know paper quilling is growing in popularity? I was surprised and delighted to see some beautiful new quilling papers and tools at the PaperCraft Expo in Brisbane. I even saw some gold dusted papers. Imagine the effect they would give you, especially for Christmas! I was going to buy some but by the time I was ready to buy I could not find the stall again. Next time I am going to record where I see interesting products on my Expo map.

Have you ever tried to make a quilled card? It is a lovely way to make embellishments for your projects. This month I made a special friend her wedding card using quilling. You can make all sorts of shapes from the basic elements of quilling.

Quilling is a craft that requires you to use only three items - thin, even strips of paper, a quilling tool (like a darning needle pushed into a handle, or a split pin pushed into a handle) and some glue that will dry clear.

I made the card shown above using some very basic shapes. Why not try this technique yourself, especially if you have never attempted it? You can get a few tips from my Quilling for Beginners page if you need them.

Poll Results

Remember the poll to find out which of several new stamp sets you would like to see featured first on PaperCraftCentral? The results were pretty decisive. You mostly liked the scrolls and foliage images of stamp set Number 1!

Many thanks to all who participated. Now get set for some new projects featuring the stamp set with the most votes.

Product Review

I went to a Papercraft Show here and were there some new ideas there. It was exciting to walk around watching the demonstrations, and there were options for attending paid workshops as well. One idea I saw demonstrated and want to do more with is Flower Soft. It was new to me and I was fascinated with the pretty effects people were getting with it. I plan to show you some projects using Flower Soft in the coming weeks.

Money Saving Tip: Make Your Own Stamping Block

Did you know you can make your own acrylic stamp blocks with an empty CD cover? Just place your clingy stamps to the outside of a CD case. Take out the paper from your CD case to make it see-through, just like an acrylic block. You may find a CD case a little springier than a heavier acrylic block so experiment with stamping your image on scrap papers first till you get the effect you want. It may help to position the stamp closer to the edge of the CD case rather than in the middle of it as the spring is less on the edges.

When using small stamps, you can use one end of your clear ruler as a stamping 'block'. Adhere the clingy stamp to the flat side of your ruler near the end. Use the ruler as a stamp block with a long handle.

By the way, if your clingy stamp is no longer clingy, just wash it gently under warm running water and dry with a baby wipe. Your stamp should be as clingy as ever, ready to go for your next project.

A Special Stamp Offer

Apologies. This offer was time sensitive and is no longer available as Paper Twists Issue 3 has been out for some time.

And that's it for this Paper Twists Issue 3. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to pass on a copy to your friends or to encourage them to subscribe. The more the merrier!

I'd love to hear any feedback you have for me about what you would like to see in future issues. Do Contact Me.

Look forward to more specials and surprises in future issues of Paper Twists.

Happy Paper Crafting!

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