Technique of the Month

There’s just something about that fabulous velvety faux suede paper that I absolutely love. Maybe it’s the way it only takes a small piece will lend a lot of class to a page or card. Or maybe I just can’t resist the rich color, soft texture and endless design possibilities!

One of my favorite techniques is one I learned from designer Paris Dukes, whose layouts often transform suede paper into lovely velvet ribbons. I asked Paris to design a page using her special technique—so I could share her fabulous secret with you!

Heart Definition Page
Designer: Paris Dukes

Click here for larger image.

“Suede paper looks and feels so much like velvet ribbon,” says Paris. “So I cut it into strips and used it on my page the same way I would ribbon. The nice thing is that you don’t need a lot of suede paper to make a big impact—just a few strips will do, and your paper will go a long way!”

Paris adds, “It’s also versatile and easy to use. You can fold it, notch the edges without fraying and add brads to it.” Here, Paris combined burgundy suede paper with glimmer paper for a subtle tone-on-tone effect.

Supplies:

• Paper Pizazz® sarapapers™: burgundy words, mauve words, burgundy glimmer, black glimmer embellishments
• Paper Pizazz® burgundy suede
• Paper Pizazz® Light Cardstock for eggshell cardstock
• Paper Pizazz® Definitions & Words Ephemera
• Cardmakers™ Antique and Pewter Mini Brads
• Cardmakers™ Jumbo Slide Mounts
• Cardmakers™ Metal Pinwheels #2
• Cardmakers™ Heart Clips
• black inkpad
• black pen
• Mini Glue Dots™
• clear tape

Instructions:

1. Cut out words from Definitions & Words Ephemera—Paris used “priceless”, “joy’ and “hug”. Ink the edges of each with black. Journal on a piece of eggshell cardstock, alternating hand-written words with word cut-outs. Ink the edges of the cardstock, then mat on black glimmer paper. Mat your photo on black glimmer paper.
2. Cut five 1/4”x2” strips of burgundy suede paper. Place your photo and journaling face-down on your work surface, leaving about 1/2” between the two. Attach the suede paper strips between the photo and journaling, placing each one at an angle as shown. Secure with clear tape. Turn over.
3. Cut a 1/2”-wide strip of burgundy suede paper. Trim to 2” long and notch the ends. Wrap around the left side of a heart clip, glue the two sides of the “ribbon” together and secure with an antique brad. Attach the heart clip to the upper left corner of the cardstock.
4. Mat the photo and journaling together on burgundy words paper, then mat again on burgundy glimmer paper.
5. Cover the jumbo slide mount with burgundy glimmer: Glue the slide mount to the burgundy glimmer. Trim around the outside edge of the slide mount. Use a cutting knife to cut an “x” in the center. Fold back the resulting burgundy glimmer triangles, glue down and trim.
6. Cut two 1/2”x9 1/2” strips of suede paper and notch one end of each. Loop the un-notched end of one “ribbon” around the top left side of the slide mount and glue in place. Use a brad to secure a black pinwheel in place as shown. Repeat with the second “ribbon”, positioning it around the bottom left side of the slide mount.
7. Cut a 1/2”x10” strip of burgundy glimmer paper and loop one end around the center left side of the slide mount. Glue, then secure with a brad and pinwheel. Notice how the glimmer strip is even with the left edge of the background paper. Glue the covered slide mount over the “heart” definition.
8. Arrange the elements on the words background page and glue.

Paris Dukes designs for Creativepapercrafts.net as well as Hot Off The Press books like Scrapbook Recipes for Journaling. Look for more of Paris’ designs in upcoming issues! If you’ve been inspired by Paris’ technique, be sure to check out the full range of suede paper colors: black, red, cream, green, etc