Paper distressing techniques part 1 of 2

Recently I was asked how I curled, roughed up, rolled, and distressed my scrapbook paper. The easiest way to tell you is by showing you. I will have this available by video soon, and will post it if you would like to see these techniques in action, for now, I snapped some photos. :)

What you will need:

1. Paper
2. Ink
3. Mini Mister filled with water
4. Scissors
5. Glue dots 
6. Heat gun (optional)

 Technique 1: rolling/curling your paper

Get your ink, and ink all around the edges of your paper. As much or as little as you like. Y'all know me, and I like LOVE my ink!

Grab your paper and your mini mister (you can get these in a pack of 3 at Michaels for really cheap) and over your trashcan or sink, mist all around the edge of the paper. (If you used a Ranger distressed Ink, you can rub the edges of the paper to create a lovely smudged look with the water and ink... in these photos, I did not use that ink) You'll notice the paper starts to curl up.. that's what we want! We are going to tell this paper how we want it to behave.

Now, at any corner of the paper, press down with your thumb and index finger, and start to roll it in. If you've ever played with playdough or making a paper cone, it is similar to that.

Roll it in as much as you like.. you can roll it tightly, or very loosely, completely up to you, there are really no rules to this. :) You'll notice your paper is still wet, go ahead and let go of it, see how it is keeping its shape? Now, if you want, grab your ink pad again and ink the top of the paper you rolled in.

Once it is dry, you can leave it as is, or you can adhere it down so it won't move around. Get your glue dots, and place one underneath the edge of the rolled paper. See where the arrow is pointing to? There.

Then press down so it sticks.

You can leave it smooshed down or you can play with it and open it back into a roundish shape.

There you have it. Easy peasy right?

Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow!

xoxo

Leah