LEVANTE LIFESTYLE

LET’S GET CRAFTY - CARD & PAPER

By Adele Sheppard

Over the next two issues I’m going to talk about card and paper.

You might think card is card and paper is paper, and that’s that. But actually it’s not. There are so many different types I need two issues to discuss them!
This month I’m going to focus on card – the different types, their uses and a whole range of tips for different techniques.

Of course you have your basic plain, coloured card, for general card-making and scrapbooking too. Basic card is available in a wide range of colours and shades, but also different thicknesses. You need to think about what you are using and what you are using it for.

You can get cheap card, but it is very thin. This kind is OK for mounting, matting and layering, but it is too thin for the actual base card. You really do need a good weight card, at least 220gsm (grams per square metre), or it does affect the quality. There’s no point going to all the effort of making a hand-made card, beautifully decorated, and then it being too flimsy and weak to carry the weight.
You also have to be careful about the quality of the card. The cheaper stuff tends to have a rough finish to it. Good quality card is smooth, and if using for stamping for instance, will allow you to stamp the best images. The poorer the quality, the more likely it is the ink will spread and spoil your image. So don’t skimp on the quality.

If you are dry embossing or cutting with templates such as lace, again you need to think about your card. Card for dry embossing must have a plain surface and not be too thin or otherwise you will break through. But the thicker and darker the card is, the more difficult it is to see through the light box. Similarly, the thicker the card, the harder it is to cut through with the knife.

When backing or mounting your main image you can really have fun. You can use multiple layers of card or paper, of increasing sizes (this is also called matting and layering). The edges can be cut straight, cut with ‘fancy scissors’, cut to specific shapes using templates like Coluzzle, torn or punched. You can mount straight or on angles, or simply use shapes, i.e. rectangles, at different angles to create a background. Cut offs and scrap card are ideal for this, so never throw away your bits.

Remember when you are mounting or creating a background for your card, it is always important to note two things: always try to pick out the colours within your main image and use these to mount, to enhance your work; avoid making your background too vivid or busy otherwise you will detract away from that main image.

Two of the most popular styles of card are hammer and linen. They are both embossed card with a raised, textured surface. The hammer literally looks like it’s been hammered, covered in bumps, and the linen has very fine embossed lines running through it. These are 250gsm and are a very good quality, thick card.

The linen card only comes in white or cream and the hammer comes in a small range of colours. They make lovely cards. These are also available in packs of pre-cut and pre-scored cards, with envelopes, in a range of standard sizes and also with a deckled edge.

Hemp embossed card, also available in packs, and basel card and paper is similar to linen Creative cover is another thick card which is smooth coated and comes in a small range of deep, rich colours. Luscious!

Then you have many different types of pearlescent card and glitter card. These have lots of interesting names like Stardream, Hi-5, Alchemy, Shantung and Stardust Glitter. Some of them are dyed so the colour goes right through the card and is on both sides. Others are coated and are white on the back. Again they are all of a very good quality, thick card.

If you like the torn edged look, then the coated card gives that white edge (remember to always tear towards you to achieve this effect). If you are stamping and embossing on pearl card you should always use an anti-static bag. This stops the powder clinging to areas you don’t want it to cling to.
Mirri, holographic and gloss cards are all shiny glossy and great fun to use, especially at Christmas. They come in a good range of colours and there are many different patterns of holographic card.
Gloss card is good for brayer (a roller used with ink) and is also recommended when creating special effects, for instance, using alcohol inks or crystal lacquers. With both the shiny cards and the pearlescent ranges, be careful when stamping. Remember their surface is less absorbent than normal card, so pigment inks will take much longer to dry and may even need heat setting. Permanent inks and Stazon are best to use.

Creative Foil, Spider’s Web and Spirograph are also types of shiny card which are embossed with various patterns. Cloud Nine and Parchmarque card and paper have a lovely mottled look and come in soft pastel colours. Last but not least, don’t forget corrugated card for a fun and different look.

Remember with all of these thicker cards it is essential to use a bone folder to give a nice crisp fold, as their thickness tends to leave a more creased, ‘wrinkled’ fold line. You will also find it more difficult to cut with ‘fancy’ edged scissors or punches (which are only really designed for paper, but will punch thicker card with a bit more effort).

Mixing and matching these different types of cards keeps your work interesting and fresh.