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Got a question? Want some answers straight from a pro? Here's the place! This month, designer extraordinaire Susan Cobb takes three questions from her mail slot and gives her professional suggestions.
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Q. Please tell me how to SUCCESSFULLY tear paper so it looks good.
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Susan: The most important thing you can do to tear paper perfectly is to place it flat in your work surface. This allows you the greatest control. Start a tear at the edge of the paper. Tearing the paper TOWARD you creates a white edge, which is great if you're planning to layer a piece of torn patterned paper on top of another patterned paper. The white edge will act as a mat, or a visual space between the two patterns. Tear the paper AWAY from you if you want to keep the colored edge. For a super-straight edge, tear against a ruler. This type of edge looks great as a photo mat. For a really varied edge, place your fingers along the tear line and move your hand slightly as you tear. This type of edge makes great waves, mountains, and other background effects.
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Susan tore layers of purple and white vellum, then layered them on top of a collage patterned background for a gorgeous layout. Note how the torn vertical border provides balance on the page. Page from Making Fabulous Scrapbook Pages.
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Q. I can't seem to find an adhesive that won't make the paper ripple or bow when I layer.
Susan: Usually when there's a problem with the paper rippling it's caused by either too much glue or using a glue that's too wet—or both. My favorite adhesives are Therm O Web mounting squares (they're adhesive on both sides and come in clear or white), and a Pioneer Glue Stick. The mounting squares hold well, yet if I need to remove something, I can without much effort or tearing up the paper! I use the mounting squares in the corners of my paper, then fill in between with Pioneer Glue Stick. I don't worry about covering the entire backside of anything with glue, just at the edges. Because the glue stick is dry to begin with, be sure to adhere the paper before the glue dries completely, or you'll need to add a little more. For fabric and other 3-D items, Crafter's Pick The Ultimate! is a good quality glue that holds well, has no odor, dries clear and is water-based. I wouldn't suggest using this to adhere paper to paper, but for heavier items it's ideal. Other options for attaching 3-D embellishments are Glue Dots™—these super-sticky little dots are perfect for sea glass, flat marbles, shells and other "lumpy" items.
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Susan used her favorite mounting squares and glue stick to attach paper to paper, and to attach the metal corners to the page. The heavier metal tag was adhered with Glue Dots™. Page from Making Fabulous Scrapbook Pages.
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Q. My friend and I have a predicament. We are quite proficient with the outside of cards but have a problem with the inside.
Susan: In designing cards, many times I leave space on the inside for a personal touch, for a handwritten message. Ideally, the design of a card should connect the outside and inside by color, image and message. To decorate the inside quickly and easily, I might just cover the inside with a paper that coordinates with the outside, and maybe use a coordinating embellishment too. If you want something more than just "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations" on the inside of the card, try adding an appropriate quotation. These are easy to find with a book of quotes (you can find these in the reference section at the bookstore or library) or online at websites like quotegarden.com. For something more elaborate, try a pop-up on the inside of the card, as shown here. It's another little surprise for the recipient!
Susan Cobb is a professional designer, specializing in scrapbook pages and handmade cards. She's a part of the Paper Pizazz® and Paper Wishes design teams and has contributed to idea books like Making Fabulous Scrapbook Pages, Totally Tag Art and more. She's also the author of Susan's Paper Engineering Secrets, a best-selling card-making technique book.
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