Joanne Wardle: Faux Handmade Paper Tutorial

I remember learning this technique when I had just started cardmaking, and it's one of those techniques I had almost forgotten about until I found one of the cards I had used it on, while attempting to tidy my craft room. (who am I kidding? I wasn't tidying it, I was looking for a missing stamp, which incidentally I found in my sewing basket!!)

In this tutorial, I will create the effect of handmade paper from a plain sheet of card (this doesn't really work with paper, it's too delicate)

first choose a sheet of card (I find A5 easier to handle, but you can work with any size)

Screw it up. (this is easier if you poke it in the middle, to "break" it)

screw it up some more, until it is as tight as it will go.

unfold and hold it under running water.

screw up and hold under running water again, until the paper is thoroughly soaked

open out and screw up again repeatedly, wetting as necessary.

The card will turn floppy and take on an almost fabric feel. it may tear a little, but this only adds to the effect so don't worry.

when you are happy with the effect it's time to do some ironing. (it beats ironing clothes, and you never know, if you leave the iron and ironing board out you may just be tempted to tackle the ironing mountain before putting it away.)

turn off the steam and iron until the card is dry, and flat enough to work with.

use to make cards!

The stamp I have used here, is by PaperArtsy