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March 22, 2017

HOW TO CREATE PAPER LEATHER

 From now on, in my blog posts, I am going to attempt to teach you something different about papercrafting, whether a technique or just a different way to do sommething. At times, I may revisit a technique. At other times, I may deviate from this promise, and maybe just post about something I'd been working on.

But I really want you to GROW from reading my blog. I want to plant those Paper Seedlings, and help you to watch them grow into beautiful creations.

Today I want to share with you a really wonderful technique, one that looks great and impressive, but is REALLY simple to do.

PAPER LEATHER:

PAPER LEATHER
Once I had my paper leather created, I incorporated it into a card. 
I gold embossed a beautiful dragonfly and used that as my focal point.


Don't you love the texture of the paper leather behind the embossed dragonfly?


Here are the easy step-by-step directions on how to create paper leather:

Take a piece of cardstock in whatever color you wish. Maybe start with a half sheet or a little less. That's what I did for my card. Then, after it is all done, you can cut it to the size you need, using the portion that looks the best and the most leather-like.

Spritz one side of the cardstock with water. I started out lightly, but ended up adding a few more spritzes before I was happy. With the cardstock damp, crumple it up in your hand as tightly as you can. (This is the reason I needed to add more water. I have terrible arthritis in my hands, so I needed the paper to be a little more wet and flexible for me to work with it.)

After crushing, unfold it, and re-crush. Keep doing this until you have a nice leathery look. I even crumpled in a few choice places where I thought it could use a little more love.

I let mine dry naturally. But, when it was still just a tad damp, I hit it with my heat tool. Then I spent some time flattening it with my hands. I don't know if ironing it would flatten the texture too much. But I was able to do the job just by smoothing it with my hands. 

I then sponged over the raised portions of the "leather" with ink that matched the paper. This gives it just a bit more definition.

Since you won't be able to get it completely flat, be sure to adhere it well to another piece of cardstock.


HAVE FUN!

Leathery
Smiles.


21 comments:

  1. Never heard of this paper leather technique but it looks so nice! Thanks for sharing at #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared it on social media.

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  2. Oh, I adore the paper leather! (As I mentioned in your other post, I love dragonflies, so this is perfect!) You're so creative!

    #ShowMeYours

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  3. very lovely. I have an artist friend who makes similar paper but highlights the folds with chalk. Thanks for sharing with us at #CCBG

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  4. That looks wonderful... and how nice that you explain the process. :)

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  5. Interesting. I've not seen this type before :0)

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  6. That is quiet an interesting technique for making paper look like leather. Thank you for sharing it with us. Pinning.

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  7. I covered an entire shoebox with crumpled paper, added some "tacks" along the bottom and the rim, then added a pull handle. It set perfectly on a shelf and looked like a beautiful leather box!

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    1. Oh my! U adore that idea! I bet it was gorgeous!

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  8. How cool! That really does look like leather! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW's DIY party!

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  9. It really looks like leather. Really cool technique! Thank you for sharing at Ravenwould!

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  10. I love that look! Very cool technique. I know I've learned this in the past but I had forgotten about it. Pinned.

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  11. WHat a great technique! So many uses for it too. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Oh this is just wonderful - I can already think of a dozen things I want to do with this. Thanks so much for sharing with Awesome Life Friday! (Also as one who crafts with advanced rheumatoid arthritis, I really like knowing you do all these cool things in spite of your hand challenges!)

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  13. This is an interesting technique! Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg :)

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  14. Linda, Thanks so much for sharing this technique. Makes me want to try this on a project too! Appreciate it. Pinned to share.
    ~Laurie

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  15. This is such an interesting techinque. I don't make cards but I do craft so I am already thinking of ideas to use this.

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  16. Love this technique. Your post will be one of my features at http://www.fabifabu.com/2017/03/26/inspiration-galore-project-party. Hope to see you next week!

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  17. Great technique and I'd love to try it!

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  18. Thanks, everyone, for your wonderful comments on this technique! I am so happy you all liked it -- and lots of you want to give it a try. Yayyy!

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  19. I can't wait to give this technique a try. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

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  20. Love this technique. Thanks for sharing at Over The Moon Party. Hope you come back next week so I can stop by again.
    Hugs,
    Bev

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