Tuesday Tips - Faux Suede Technique

Try the Faux Suede Technique!  It is quite easy.  The Faux Suede technique creates a sueded or felted appearance to cardstock.  This technique looks particularly nice on paper flowers and vintage-styled projects.  On today's card  notice the flower - it looks soft, sueded, and distressed.  The flower is created using Stampin' Up card stock.   You can see the paper fibers on the flower when you look closely, as opposed to seeing a smooth cardstock finish.

I took my inspiration for today's card from this Designers Guild website Spring tablescape.

notes.

Choose a Stampin' Up color to compliment the occasion.  Beautiful current color alternatives might be Marina Mist or Peach Parfair for a subtle card, Poppy Parade or Concord Crush for a vibrant special occasion card, or Night of Navy or Always Artichoke for classic style.

1 1/4" square punch

Choose any flower punches or diecuts to suit the style

A stamp set with various small coordinated images such as Sweet Summer (SAB 2011) are perfect for this collage styled card.

Sponge the edges of the squares to tone the contrast down

Corduroy button

Faux Suede Technique on each flower layer (see notes below)

Faux Suede Technique Notes.

• Pull a bone folder across cs over and over, and on both sides of the paper, similar to the way you curl a piece of curling ribbon with a scissors. 
• If you intend to create a specific shape, such as the flower on this particular card,  punch or cut out that shape prior to beginning this technique.  Here I used a flower punch to make a flower shape.  
• When the paper fibers on the edges are all beginning to separate, gently peel apart the paper layers so you have two separate pieces of paper.  Occasionally additional distressing is needed if the peeling becomes stubborn.  

I hope you give this technique a try! 

Linda