Scrapbooking Tools - Papers

Scrapbooking papers

Whether it’s [tag]scrapbooking paper[/tag], writing paper or notebooks doesn’t matter … I love paper. I always have. I love to run my fingers over it and feel the weight, the quality, the texture of it. I love to work with it. I love the colors, patterns, styles. So learning to scrapbook came naturally, as it were.

My love of paper does mean, however, I’m a paper gatherer and hoarder and as I’ve said before, am often reluctant to actually use it! Maybe that means I’ll move on to [tag]digital scrapbooking[/tag] one of these days as that’s one of the positive things they say about it: you can use the ‘paper’ over and over again. In the meantime there are loads of wonderful patterned scrapbook papers and [tag]specialty papers[/tag] out there to enjoy. Being a ‘touchy’ person I’d miss that aspect with digital scrapbooking, but just think how easy clearing up must be!

Looking through your local scrapbook store or searching online scrapbook stores you’ll see samples from the many manufacturers around. You’ll find paper by the sheet, book, bundle or stack and the choice is up to you how you buy it.

The advantage of buying books, bundles and paper stacks is they are already grouped in color families or coordinating styles so makes matching easier for you. The disadvantage is you may not use all the papers or you may not have the exact color you want so another trip to the store may be necessary after all!

 

It’s more than just background

While we usually think of paper as background or for matting, think of it also as an embellishment in its own right for it adds so much to your design. You can make ‘ribbons’ with it, you can cut out patterns to use as accents, or you can cut tags to use for your scrapbook journaling, and so the paper itself becomes another embellishment.

Similarly, as well as mounting your photos on paper, you can make frames and borders with plain or patterned scrapbook papers to enhance your photo or highlight a portion of it.

Hot off the Press make a large number of [tag]scrapbooking paper[/tag] books, including some that are ‘almost done’ or ‘finished in a flash’.

And DCWV have a large variety of paper and card stacks including 4½” x 6½” stacks that come in mulberry, card and vellum for matting your photos. Both are available from Joann.com To go to the website click here.

 

Specialty Papers

There are many specialty papers too. Here are just a few of those you can find:

• adhesive paper
• vellum/printed vellum - flowers, small patterns, lace, etc
• mulberry
• mesh paper
• metallic
• glimmer/shimmer papers
• onion skin
• handmade papers
• flute
• double-sided/reversible paper (memories forever)
• transparencies for inkjet printers
• translucent - some with swirling fibers

 

Handmade papers

The variety of papers available just goes on growing. Here are some [tag]handmade papers[/tag] you will find in scrapbooking stores or online:

• coconut husk felt paper
• faux leather
• faux skins
• mica encrusted
• Thai paper
• textured
• embossed
• fiber paper
• silk

 

Specialty and handmade papers are more expensive than ordinary patterned scrapbook papers, so you may decide to use only a little to accent your layout. They will give quite beautiful results.

 

We haven’t tried to describe all the varieties of paper available as there are so many, and some of them are obvious. That may be something we can come back to later.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Have fun and let us see some of your results. Send them to genie at scrapbookinggems.com (Use the usual email format - we have not used it here to prevent spam.)

 

If you found this post interesting then share it. Click on the green button below. Thanks.

 

 

---