How to Antique Edges of Scrapbooking Projects

Antiquing the edges of your scrapbook pages adds a vintage or shabby chic feel to the layout.

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Whether you’re creating an album with pictures you collected from your grandma’s attic or just want to create an old-fashioned feeling on your scrapbook pages, antiquing the edges of your pages adds texture to vintage pages. Antiquing, also known as distressing, is the process of making your pages look old, worn or weathered. Depending on the look you want to achieve, antiquing can be subtle – just a darkened or slightly curled edge, for example – or thoroughly distressed, with torn, burned or heavily inked edges. Experiment with different effects until you achieve exactly the antique appearance you want.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions Things You'll NeedCard stock or patterned paperSpray bottle of waterRulerWalnut spray inkChalk or dye ink pads in dark colorsNail file, sandpaper or distressing blockTea (optional)Lighter or candle (optional)Suggest Edits1

Spray the card stock or patterned paper with water to soften the fibers. Crumple into a ball, and then flatten. Allow the paper to dry.

2

Place a metal or plastic ruler along the edge of the page, approximately 1/4-inch from the edge. Slowly tear the paper along the edge, beginning at the top of the paper.

3

Sand the edges of the torn paper with a nail file, small piece of sandpaper or a sanding block designed for paper crafts to soften the torn edges. Pay close attention to the corners, distressing them a little more for an authentic antique look.

4

Spray walnut dye ink, available in craft stores, all over the paper, adding the most color to the edges. Alternatively, run a small brown or black ink or chalk ink pad along the edge to add a dark, vintage look to the page after spraying the whole sheet. Allow the ink to dry.

5

Run your fingernail along the edge of page to slightly curl the torn edge. Curl the corners up a bit more than the edges.

6

Add your photos and embellishments to the page.

Tips & Warnings

Strong brewed tea is an acceptable substitute for walnut ink. Brew a cup of tea and use a saturated cotton ball to add a subtle wash of color to the page. This method works best on light colored card stock or patterned paper.

Burning or singeing the edges of your pages creates an antique appearance but requires some finesse. Carefully run the edge of the paper over a lighter or candle for a slightly shaded look, or completely burn the edges for the ultimate distressed look. If you use a flame with paper, have water nearby in case the whole page ignites.

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