Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Art Paper Week Day Two: Papyrus

Real Egyptian papyrus is just plain cool. I mean, seriously, this stuff was the only paper available before the Chinese invented wood-pulp paper and started exporting it to the West in the Middle Ages. The ancient library at Alexandria, the burning of which was the greatest tragedy in history for book-lovers, was filled with thousands upon thousands of papyrus scrolls.

I bought the papyrus to use to cover a book I made for my aunt, who is a wood-worker. (She loved the book!) And of course I bought more than I needed. So here is a card using a piece of it. In keeping with the ancient tradition of it, I used a verse from the Book of Psalms, and decided that I would make a card for my uncle, who is an amazing man of faith.

The leaves, from SU's Fantastic Foliage (discontinued), were rock-and-rolled using VersaMagic ink, which is nice and thick and doesn't bleed into the papyrus.

Yes, I wasted some papyrus figuring that out.

Papyrus is pretty flimsy stuff, so I mounted it onto a piece of cardstock so I could pop it up and wrap the twine around it. The twine knot looked feeble, so I tried tying a bow, which also looked feeble. That's when I decided a button would at least be in keeping with the masculine feel of the card. I wish I'd had a button that was slightly smaller and not as dark as this one, which seems too chunky to me, but it'll do.

Maybe this is a sign that I need to order PTI's rustic button assortment, eh?


Papyrus lends so much texture and interest to a card, and those who are more skilled at dude cards than I am will find it simply amazing to work with.

Remember to leave a comment answering today's question to be included in the random drawing for today's little give-away, 12 small pieces assorted art papers, including several sheets of papyrus.

Today's Question:

What's your favorite way to add texture to a card?

78 comments:

  1. At the moment, given I am in love with most things PTI it would have to be impression plates. I was at a friends place today, trying to come to terms with creating a wedding card for a Fijian Indian friend of mine and along side all the gold and glitter, the large "medallion" from Giga Guidelines looked fantastic.

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  2. OK, you've done some cool things in the past, but this is the absolute COOLEST!! Love, love, love it.

    I went on a PTI button-buying spree, but then realized that buttons made mailing cards difficult. Now my favorite texture technique is impression plates and embossing folders. They are my latest obsession.

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  3. My favorite way to add texture right now is with the paper. I like pretextured paper, and I also like to run it through my cuttlebug with texture plates.

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  4. since i bought my cuttlebug, texture comes mostly from the embossing plates and dies. i used to use a lot of handmade paper - probably should dig it out this week and do something with it??!!

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  5. Lovely card....I have never used papyrus, that's for sure. I would say I do embossing for texture. Easy to run something through that Big Shot!

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  6. That papyrus does add and interesting texture and color and is perfect for your image and verse.

    If I want texture I get out the embossing folders.

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  7. Great work!
    Since I don't have any "fancy machines", I use these old fiskars texture plates. It's a workout to use them, but the look is more natural than the Cuttlebug papers for example. I actually love hand embossing, I'm old fashioned that way!

    Petra

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  8. Embossing folders or plates for me. Very rarely do I rough up the edges of my card, it always looks to messy for me :)

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  9. I'm not into "texture" too much, but I do have a few embossing folders. I've often thought about using my Lumiere and stipple it on a piece of cardstock with some different colors of PearlEx to create a nice, bumpy texture, but I have not gotten past the thinking stage!

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  10. My current obsession is texture plates and embossing folders. I just love my Big Shot. I also like to distress the edges of my layers for a lighter textured look - my fingernail works just fine for that! If given the chance, I bet I could really learn to love papyrus!!!

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  11. Great job stamping on the papyrus! For texture, embossing folders are hard to beat. Adding ribbon or string also works for me...or just tearing one edge of my stamped paper.

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  12. Another striking card! I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of meeting papyrus...must check this out.
    Texture for me means the ol' embossing folders, or, paper piecing/popping up of small or large elements of a stamped image for depth on a card. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  13. Such a lovely soft and serene card. I like texture, but being more of a CAS gal, I don't use it in my designs often. I DO like the Cuttlebog Swiss Dots folder, it isn't too over the top.

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  14. I, too, use embossing folders to add texture. I don't have any of the pti ones, yet, but they are on my list!

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  15. Love the papyrus touch, especially with that gorgeous green. Will have to try using those lumpy bumpy papers more too. I like to do the highly technical paper scrunch for textured backgrounds.

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  16. I think dry embossing is a great way to add texture without a lot of bulk! LOve your papyrus card ... nothing like 'new' products to inspire!!!

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  17. I don't have a machine that will support embossing so I use my Fiskars Texture plates and stylus a lot.

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  18. Terri (blindstamper)June 22, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    I'm lovin' the embossing folders and texture plates with my Big Shot for texture.

    The paper you used is wonderful...the card is great...and did you really say something about buying more buttons (must have been another blog I read about issues using buttons)? :)

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  19. lovely card. Your Uncle is sure to love it.
    Cb with ef's, although it is fun once in a while to get out a stencil template and give it a stylus!!!!

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  20. I love my embossing folders! I still struggle using the embossed paper on a card..but LOVE the way it looks. I also use ribbon and layers for more texture/dimension.

    I like the card. Definitely a masuline card.

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  21. I think it's a combination of things. I like to use Cuttlebug folders and distressing too.

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  22. When i create a masculin card i always use sandpaper, i use it on everything. then i add some dark ink.

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  23. Great card! My favorite way to use texture is by embossing.

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  24. Great card! I would say embossing is my favorite way to add texture, and of course I also love my cuttlebug embossing folders!

    Marianne

    mkd1061@aol.com

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  25. Susan, was it good or bad that the Versamagic didn't bleed into the papyrus?

    I like the masculine feel to your card. NICE!!!

    As far as texture, sometimes the embossing folders give too much texture and breakdown the paper fibers. The paper might be too droopy to support a card, but can be layered as a card front (not so good for OLCs). I like to use a background stamp (like SU's Sanded) and do a tone-on-tone or versamark to give a subtle textured look.

    Nance in Reno

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  26. Brads, buttons and bows especially since I tend to buy in bulk!

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  27. Lately I've been adding dry embossing. Love those embossing folders!

    I would use more buttons and larger bows, but I make cards to sell, and people hesitate to buy bulkier cards. ;(

    PS: I DO NOT WANT MORE PAPER. DO NOT PICK ME.

    WV: aggennes
    A ladies name.

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  28. First I LOVE that card and think the button works just fine.

    My favorite way to add texture is with the Cuttlebug embossing folders! I LOVE my CB. Probably one of the best investments I've made in this craft in many years of buying 'STUFF'. I have lots of 'STUFF'...I'll never use all my 'STUFF'.

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  29. Add me to the list of embossing folder fans. Love that it makes you want to touch.

    Amazing the soft look the papyrus lends to your card. It's gorgeous.

    Thanks for expanding our paper horizons this week. I enjoy new ideas.

    Hugs,
    Colleen

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  30. Embossing folders! Yay - love them.

    Love your card too.

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  31. I love the embossing folders or texture plates to add texture to my cards. The papyrus on your card is beautiful. I'm surprised that it's so fragile but that the scrolls lasted so long in museums.

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  32. I'm a HUGE fan of embossing folders! I have 5 of them and I think I use them on almost every card I make! BTW, I think the button you used is perfect! =)

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  33. I add texture to my cards with embellishments that are not smooth. Could be a piece of wire mesh, cork, torn paper, etc. Makes the piece more visually appealing...to the USPS price, too! LOL

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  34. Oh my, oh my I want to touch that paper! BEAUTIFUL card. Seems to me fine paper is not to be touched, so I wouldn't, but the temptation is always huge.

    About the buttons, my last PTI order was disappointing because all but 12 of the over-100 were shiny and more than half were the ordinary men's shirt buttons. All were 4-hole except for 16. Seems like I always need nearly flat, 2-hole buttons, never shiny.

    My favorite way to add texture is one I learned here when you made the stamp-textured squares, each different, and mounted them in a row near the bottom of the card, then tied them with twine and added a button. To CASE that card, I inked up household items , because I didn't have texture-stamps, and made dynamite 5X7 dude cards I love. I make mostly dude cards because our son employs over 100 men and always sends them cards for birthdays, anniversaries, encouragement, Thanks, etc.. I am lucky enough to be his card-source.

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  35. Your card is lovely, and I like your inspiration to use the bible verse with the papyrus. For texture, I guess I would choose embossing, either with the powder or cuttlebug embossing plates.

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  36. I'm going with the majority here - I almost always use my Cuttlebug for adding texture to cards. A really neat trick that I found on another blog is to run your CS through a "busy" folder, then run it through again, this time using a simpler design - the second design stays the prominent design, but the first one is still vaguely evident.

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  37. Good old heat embossing with embossing powder is still one of my favourite techniques and I love the subtle texture it gives.

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  38. Your card is very elegant....love the soft look that the papyrus paper gives on your card.

    I really love using my Cuttlebug for a bit a texture...just so easy and looks great every time.

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  39. I sometimes use the Fiskars templates....'member those? LOL Don't have the new fancy things...like cuttlebug & such. Dry Emboss with light table & stylus too.LOVE paper with texture...and cardstock too...... Use punches alot to add detail.....texture isn't one of my fave things tho.

    Your Blog is phenominal tho!!! Love the easy, but beautiful style you do!! thanks for sharing with us!!! :)

    Lori Morton

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  40. I love using fun flock to add texture. I love the feel it gives and watching people lightly touching the areas.

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  41. I really like dry embossing; from skimming the answers, looks like several other like this method too.

    LOVE the card; the texture looks amazing!

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  42. My favorite way to add texture to a card is to use the Cuttlebug and the many different embossing folders that are available.

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  43. I bought my big shot just for this to add texture and love love it

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  44. My fave way of adding texture is with dry embossing and heat embossing.

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  45. Great card and paper(again!!!)! : )
    I love my Score-Pal and Cutlebug for texture!

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  46. One of the ways I want to try for texture is by sanding and playing with corrugated cardboard. Teacher on vacation here!

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  47. To add texture to a card I usually use embossing folders and texture plates.

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  48. I really enjoy the textured paper when I do a card or just doing the heat embossing.

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  49. Right now, I enjoy adding texture to a card by using my Cuttlebug machine and emboss the cards. Easy peasy and voila...

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  50. I like distressing the edges of handmade paper with a pair of scissors :) Also good is sandpapering the edges of chipboard pieces you have covered in gorgeous coredinations card stock!

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  51. I love the idea of using papyrus on a card, especially a masculine one, thanks for the inspiration!

    Currently, my favorite way to add texture is piercing. I love piercing and I don't need to buy anything special!

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  52. I confess, I know nothing about adding texture to my cards... I used to dry emboss, but it's been a long time and I have a paper crimper but it's covered in dust.
    guess I should try again!!

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  53. I have two ways, first the good old crimper and dazzling dimonds. I love using heat and stick then dazziling dimonds over especially if doing a florish.

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  54. Wow, some great ideas on here- love the sand paper one! Don't own any embossing or cuttlebug machines (although I'm sure if I had 'em I'd use 'em), but for texture I often use versamark and my dots stamps or other shapes.

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  55. I must agree with Bahb! I want so badly to reach out and FEEL that paper! Beautiful card, Susan, and I love the sentiment. I guess it's considered embossing, but I love to make texture using my scor-pal or scor-bug. And of course, one MUST sand afterwards! Thanks again for the chance to win!

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  56. This card has a wonderful softness to it, and the papyrus is just lovely. Looks like the button is not opaque, so it's fine (IMHO). For texture, I usually use my CB.

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  57. Such a great masculine card! Sometimes I white emboss a background stamp to have a texture on my card (since I don't have any embossing machine)...

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  58. I love using embossing folders; they are so easy to use!

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  59. That is such a cool card! To add texture to plain card that I want to use as a background I like to stamp a small image (eg a flower) with Versamark and clear emboss it with a heatgun.

    Thinking about the burning of the Library of Alexandria gives me an actual pain beneath my sternum. It's probably because I was a librarian before the children arrived!

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  60. My favorite way to add texture is either embossing with my cuttlebug or some paint put on the paper with say bubble wrap, or tissue paper or something along those lines. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  61. Great masucline card!
    I love heat embossing! But I think that the easiest way is to use textured cardstocks. LOL!

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  62. Isn't it fabulous that you could combine papyrus and rock 'n' roll into the same card? :D
    No Cuttlebug or its ilk here, but I heat emboss more often than not, I would say. I like both the shine and the texture. Ribbon would be another texture-adder.

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  63. I love the Cuttlebug folders for texture. I also like to use hand made paper for texture. Your card is awesome for your uncle, it's a guy card, for sure.

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  64. I'm not in for the free stuff but I wanted to answer the question anyway....
    I love embossing folders!!!
    I also like crimping
    And tearing

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  65. wonderful card, susan.
    your uncle will be thrilled.
    guess i don't add much texture. don't have embossing machine or plates. not gonna buy, cuz i have too much stuff.....need to use what i have.
    thanks for your inspiration.
    you are the BEST!!
    marty

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  66. Let me start, by saying I love your card! its simply beautiful. My favorite way to add texture to a card is with dry embossing plates/folders. If I need a bit more 'texture' I will take a sanding block to the impression and sponge some ink.
    thank you for the chance to win an assortment of art papers.

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  67. This card looks great!

    I love adding texture to a card in simple ways, just with cardstock that is already textured, such as Bazzil or Lexel paper/card. I also like heat embossing and dry embossing here and there.

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  68. wowza, that card is BEAUTIFUL!!!

    My favorite way to add texture is using my Cuttlebug embossing folders. I am eyeing out those beautiful impression plates from PTI tho.

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  69. I LOVE the art paper at University Art here in Sacramento! I never knew what to do with it though, so I framed some and hung them in my office. I never thought to cover stuff with it (a duh moment, for sure). I don't need to enter the drawing, but thank you for the inspiration (as always).

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  70. I love the look of dry embossed paper. It is probably my 'go to' texture. I also really love using ink applied and moved around to get the feeling of texture even when there really is none.

    It has been ages since I used up the piece of papyrus my dad brought me back from Turkey but I still remember the feel and look of it. Thanks for reminding me!

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  71. Don't have much of texture stuff with me. No embossing folders, but sometimes I do use sanding blocks. Does that count as texture?

    Love that papyrus! super card. I find it too hard to make a card for guys!

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  72. I do like my embossing folders too for adding texture. I guess I'm not alone in that.

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  73. Love the card. You make guy cards seem so much easier.

    For me, I like adding fabric to cards. For guys, denim, corduroy or pinstripes are great.

    DS love to help Mommy with the Big Shot and will sit for at least an hour at a time turning the crank. I use a lot of Cuttlebug folders for simple Christmas cards when the weather turns bad.

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  74. Beautiful Card!! I love embossing folders ....gives quick texture.

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  75. I like using textured paper, or
    embossing folders.

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  76. To add texture, a lot of times I add some textured cardstock. If I dont have that, I use a cuttlebug folder. It can add so much 'zing' without adding a lot of weight or bulk.

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  77. lovely!!

    for texture, i do a few things:
    My fave is to use my fiskars crimper! it's simple and it's pretty but can still be used on a masculine card.

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  78. I enjoy dry embossing for texture, but it takes a long time. I wish for a tool to use those amazing embossing folders. The texture on this is just right.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!