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Totally Templates

Tag art, diamond folds...and what the heck is a Spring Thing? If you've been intrigued by the newest paper-crafting techniques, you're not alone. And if you're looking for ideas on using templates to make these techniques faster and easier, then you've come to the right place! We went straight to the expert: Susan Cobb, the creative force who designed the templates you see here. Below, Susan shares her designer tips and ideas, plus three wonderful projects.

Susan's Most Important Tip for Templates:

The templates I'm going to show you are really easy to use-and you're going to be delighted with all the ways you can use them! First, I select which of the shapes on the template I want, then position it on my paper and trace. For an elegant look (especially on vellum) I trace on top of the paper with metallic pen. When I don't want the pen line to show, I trace on the back side of the paper. Note: When tracing onto vellum, remove the template carefully and let the paper sit for a few minutes so the ink can dry.

After I've traced my shape, I remove the template and use scissors or an X-acto® knife to cut the shape. It's important to remove the template before cutting-if you try to use the X-acto® knife to cut the template lines through the template you will probably cut into the template itself!

Technique #1: Tag Art

Susan used the Tags #2 Template for the two label-style tags shown here.

Supplies:

Susan's Tips for Tag Art:

Decorating the tags: Tags don't have to be plain-look to your patterned papers for embellishments. Here, I cut a flower cluster from leftover floral paper, outlined the flower cluster with silver pen and attached it to the large tag with foam tape. It adds dimension and really ties the page elements together.

Adding metal: A little metal really dresses up a tag. You'll notice that both the tag and the journaling label are matted on silver metallic paper and accented with silver brads. Embossed metallic paper charms are great accents, too: For the journaling tag, I added a paper charm that says "celebrate". For the floral tag, I chose a charm that says "Make a Wish". The silver cord and eyelet is another little touch.

Technique #2: Diamond Folds

Susan's famous diamond fold technique is easy to do with the Diamond Folds #2 Template.

Supplies:

Susan's Tips for Diamond Folds:

Beginning at the bottom, fold each double diamond (chevron) downward. If your fold is vellum, you may not need to glue it down, just press firmly along the fold.

Susan's Cutting Tip: When using this template, I like to use post-it notes to hold the paper securely while I cut. A retractable X-acto® knife and a metal ruler are must-haves: the retractable X-acto® has a shorter blade is shorter, making it easier to be precise. When cutting a diamond fold design, I usually begin on one side of the design and cut all the lines going in a row in the same direction. Then I do the other side and fold back each cut portion of the design.

Making vellum diamond folds: The diamond fold design is perfect when paired with layers of vellum and papers. I like to use a metallic pen to trace the shapes-this way, I get a bit of metallic edging and I don't have to worry about erasing pencil lines. Here, I cut the diamond fold on my ivory vellum photo mat, positioning the design about 1/2" from the bottom of the mat and beginning the design about 1 1/4" from the left side. I put a torn piece of tan vellum underneath the diamond fold design to add another touch of dimension.

Cutting vellum diamond folds: When cutting vellum, I place a piece of white paper underneath my vellum so I can see my drawn pencil lines clearly. When folding vellum, it is helpful to crease the folds with a bone folder or the back of your fingernail. Crisp folds help the vellum folds to stay in place without as needing much glue.

Embellishing diamond fold designs: Embossed paper charms are pretty accents to diamond folds. Punch a hole in the end of a few embossed paper charms and hang them from the diamond folded design with gold thread.

Technique #3: Spring Things

Susan made this one-of-a-kind card with the Spring Things template.

Supplies:

Susan's Tips for Spring Things:

Tracing & cutting: Open the card flat, face up on your cutting surface. Place the square design of the template on the center of the card front. Use a pencil or gold pen to outline the design on the card front. Remove the template. Use your ruler and knife to carefully cut along your lines, through the card front only. Make sure the cuts are completely through the card front at the corners, then apply glue to the back of the center square. Press down firmly to the inside back.

When cutting a design from the Spring Things Template, be sure to begin cutting from the inside out, for better stability of the design. When gluing the center of the cut card front to the inside, apply glue to the back of the center section while your cut design is still intact, before you pull it apart. This will insure that your "center" is properly positioned on the inside back of your card.

Love these template ideas? Then keep your eye out for a brand-new idea book from Susan and the rest of the Hot Off The Press designers this winter called Totally Templates.

Susan Cobb is a talented designer and author of Susan's Paper Engineering Secrets. She designs full-time for Hot Off The Press idea books, and contributes to the Paper Wishes catalog, plus magazines like Creating Keepsakes and Memory Makers. She is a regular contributor to Your Creative Spirit.