Are your scrapbook pages all starting to look alike? Need a new technique to to spark your creativity? Take a look at vellum papers! Vellum is a sturdy, semi-transparent paper that can be a great embellishment for your many paper projects. You can find vellum in many beautiful colors and patterns. Here are some tips for successfully using these speciality papers in your scrapbook layouts and paper piecing projects.

When choosing your vellum papers be sure to try them over many different background papers - you will be surprised at all the various looks you can achieve. A vellum paper can tone down a bright paper. Colored vellum, red for example, can result in a pink, orange, or even purple look, depending on the color of the background paper used. Try printed vellum over a print background for a really unique look! If used over a photograph, vellum will provide a muted, dreamy, watercolor look.

Quote printed on vellum, edges torn and inked.

Use your printer or rubber stamps on vellum. I love printing my journaling on vellum and layering it over my photos! Just be sure the inks are allowed plenty of drying time before you handle the paper. When in a hurry use your heat gun to set and dry the inks.

Another great technique is to actually print a photo onto the vellum. Many wedding invitations use this idea - you can read the details of the invitation (or your journaling) through the photo.

Vellum is ideal for experimenting with edge treatments! Of course you can cut vellum with your favorite cutter, but also try using decorative edge scissors! My favorite technique, though, is tearing the vellum for a softer look and then using chalks or inks to give it a subtle aged look.

Attaching vellum to your layout or card can be a bit tricky because regular adhesives will show through - usually not a good look! Try using an adhesive specifically made for vellum and place it in areas that will be covered by other elements, or in the case of a title piece, beneath the printed letters. You can get around this problem completely, however by attaching the vellum with brads, eyelet, paperclips, or even staples! You can also stitch it in place, either by machine or by hand.

Pocket created from a striped vellum and machine stitched to the page.

Vellum papers make great pockets or envelopes on your layout. Just stitch around three sides of a rectangle of vellum and you have a sturdy pocket that will let the contents peek through for a hint of what's inside.

Go ahead - give it a try - vellum will let YOUR creativity show through!

Vellum gives the gumball machine a "glass" look (use a white marker to make the reflections). Clear vellum was colored with pink chalk to look like a burst bubble!

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