It comes as not much of a surprise that not everybody has been told about vellum before. But don’t feel bad, I hadn’t heard about it either until I was shown some vellum scrapbooking by someone who had done scrapping for a while. So what is it?
Vellum is very like leather. It is made of the skin of animals, most commonly goats or sheep. It is much thinner and softer than leather you have possibly seen it before used on the skin of drums or on a lampshade. It’s been around for hundreds of years and was used as parchment for critical documents like land deeds or contracts.
So what’s this hot trend with vellum scrapbooking? Well honestly, there isn’t one. This material is a bit more expensive than your standard scrapbooking supplies ( as leather has a tendency to be ) which might make 1 or 2 people nervous about using it.
It is just about never considered or consideration of when scrappers are considering materials for their pages. Besides my chum who introduced me to it, I have seldom seen people vellum scrapbooking.
However, this should not be thought about as a lousy thing, when I used it, the feel was so soft and fascinating that I had many scrappers asking me what it was and where they could get it. It actually made a lot of them take an interest in the ‘new ‘ material I was using. They were stunned to find out that Vellum had been about for hundreds of years.
This material also looks superb in virtually any scrapbook. Besides adding a superb texture, it has also got a wonderful matte effect, preventing pages from becoming glossy or highly reflective. It’s also got the fantastic property of stick-resistance. This was a great side benefit, as many of you could have experienced some of your scrapbook pages sticking together after 1 or 2 months of non-browsing.
So there you have it, next time you are combing your brain for concepts or simply looking for something to give your book a little skill, go for vellum scrapbooking.
Like to read more great articles about vellum scrapbooking? Check out Jeanette Millers blog and discover how you can download ten free scrapbooking layouts!
What is Vellum
Originally it was made from the skin of cattle with its intended purpose being a smooth tough surface with which to document things on. Early types received an intense treatment process so as to take it from the skin of an animal to the point at which it might be written on and used to create important documents.
Modern Types
The kind that youll find in craft stores today is significantly different (and cheaper) to the early kind as it is basically made from plasticised cotton, not animal skin. Today it is more frequently called paper vellum.
Different Types
The modern paper version comes in numerous different sizes and shapes and for the most part will be see though. You may also find there wide range of patterns and designs.
Vellum Scrapbooking
It may be employed to make a slight shade or shade change to background or embellishment colors. This can be used as a softening agent for baby scrapbooks, as a touch of subtlety to present scrapbooks, or to form dimension on a dull flat page. Vellum is available in both acidic and non-acidic forms, so take care with which type you are purchasing.
It also comes in pearlescent colors and patterns. There are some pretty floral types available, which can sometimes be laid over plain or delicate cardstock to provide a dreamy, romantic effect, which is attractive in marriage albums. It’s also feasible to sometimes get paper stock and vellum in the same print, which can on occasion be utilised for different intensity on the same page or album.
To scale back the cloudiness effect due to gluing, apply only a thin line of glue along the edges. In this way, you’ll see a slight shade only along the edge and this can seem like a border.
Perhaps a simpler way to secure it onto a page is by using brads or eyelets at the corners. These add another ornamental part to the page and increase the layered look by not sticking the vellum down all round the edge.
If you enjoyed this post on vellum scrapbooking and would like to see more, then visit Jannette Miller’s website now where you can also download 10 free scrapbooking layouts.
Using vellum could be a neat method to add an extra glint to your layout pages. Vellum is transparent paper that comes in a variety of colours and textures and here are five tricks about how to use vellum to make your pages look very special.
Backgrounds
You’ll have card stock that you would like to use as a background for one of your pages, but it may have a strong color or pattern that is going to overpower the remainder of the page. You can soften it with vellum. Because vellum is transparent, you will be able to see the background through the vellum, but it’ll be softer and less over powering. HOT TIP: If youd like to make some contrast, leave the sides of your background freed from vellum show a border.
Borders
You can create stunning, lacy effects around the border of your pages just by using vellum. Tear the vellum and then “drape” it round the borders for a soft stylish effect, or create straight textured borders with folded vellum. You could even do some dry embossing for an even larger effect.
Titles
You can put page or picture titles on your vellum and then lay it over patterned backgrounds for an artistic effect. you may also try embossed with plain vellum; this will raise the embossed area, so you titles have more texture.
Embellishment
Sometimes, you only need a little texture and vellum can add that texture to your pages without being overpowering. Because see though and subtle, you can use it wherever you want, however for greater effect, be slightly sparing with it so that you get a mix of textures and looks, from bold to soft.
Notes
There are times when you are going to need to incorporate text and notes on your layouts, and vellum could be a great surface to pen them on. Because it’s see though, you can write text on the vellum and then place the vellum over the picture or item. The text will be there to give an explanation for the background of a selected picture but will remain inconspicuous.
For more tips on how to use vellum check out Janette Miller’s web site Now. You'll also be able download 10 free scrapbooking layouts while you're there.
admin | February 5, 2011
