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For photo mats. For borders. For layering. For the simplest or the most
complicated of paper crafting projects, tearing paper is a great way to
add interest and dimension to projects of all kinds. It’s versatile
and fun, too!
Pulling paper toward you creates a white edge.
Tearing the paper away from you will result in a colored edge.
To some, the thought of tearing precious paper can be a bit scary—almost
like coloring outside the lines. Once you start, though, it’s not
only addicting, but also somewhat freeing.
The Technique
There are two basic techniques to tearing. If you’re using a colored
or patterned paper with white on the back, tearing in different ways will
give varying effects. Pulling the paper toward you while tearing creates
a white edge, while tearing the paper away from you will result in a colored
edge.
Adding chalk or ink to the white edges of torn paper creates an easy
border, and saves you from matting!
“Torn paper with a white edge can conveniently act as a mat, giving
a bit of visual space between the paper you’re tearing and the paper
you’re placing the torn piece onto,” advises realistic scrapper
LeNae Gerig.
Torn paper with a white edge is also great for some fun altering such
as chalking or direct-to-paper inking. In this layout, LeNae chalked the
edges of the ephemera definitions with black, helping to define them.
You can also, of course, tear vellum. Tear with the grain of the vellum
for a smooth edge or against it for a choppy edge.
LeNae tore just one edge of each of these blocks, using the white edge
coordinate nicely with the black and white photo and white in the gingham
patterned paper.
Controlling The Tear
Though tearing is meant to be somewhat freestyle, you can control it
to some degree. Try using a liner paintbrush and some water to draw a
shape on your paper, then tear while it is still damp (wait for the paper
to dry before attaching it to your page). Smaller pieces of paper can
be held in your hands and torn with your fingertips.
For larger pieces of paper, LeNae recommends placing the paper on a table
or flat surface. Hold one side of the paper steady with the palm of your
hand (hold a ruler there for a very straight tear) while tearing with
your other hand.
How to Use Tearing
These tearing techniques can be used for so many different looks, it’s
amazing. Try tearing out alphabet tiles instead of cutting them, or alternating
tearing and cutting for a truly unique effect. You can also layer torn
patterned paper and vellum together to create a special border on a page
or card. Or try tearing just one edge of a tag, photo mat or journaling
block for a one-of-a-kind look.
However you choose to tear, don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t
look exactly as you imagined—part of the charm of tearing is the
uniqueness it brings to your projects. Just remember—there are no
mistakes, just happy accidents!
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