Crafty Kraft Paper!

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Do you have some Kraft paper in your stash but you forget to use it? I do that all the time! It is so tempting to head straight for the pretty patterned papers, or grab that solid white to stamp on, or focus on the colored papers for the associated seasons... but let's not forget the simple beauty and fun of Kraft paper. This video might give you some inspiration to pull out your Kraft paper, some supplies, and have some creative fun!



Are you inspired now? I hope so. Let me know in the comment section below what you like to make using Kraft paper. In the meantime, here is a close up of the four cards I showed in the video and the corresponding measurements and details to help you create something similar if you want to.

This card has a definite antique feel to it. Here are some of the details:

• The card base is made with Kraft paper cut 4.25" x 11" and then folded in half to create a 4.25" x 5.5" top folding card.
• The black piece of cardstock is 4" x 5.25".
• For the top layer of Kraft paper I cut it 3.75" x 5" and then lightly "aged" it using Distress Ink (you can use any of the brown tones... I believe I used "tea dye" on this one). Then I used a water brush and splattered some clean water droplets on it for a more aged look.
• Once my top layer was dry I stamped it using black ink, added some black and white washi tapes, and a few "metallic looking" puffy stickers I picked up at the Dollar Tree. (The Dollar Tree?! Yup! Check out my blog on this at Hunting for Craft Supplies: Have You Looked Here?)
• Lastly, before assembling, but after all the inks were dry, I splattered the entire top with a shimmery watercolor paint. Kraft paper plays nice with all sorts of mixed media!
• The inside of the card is simply stamped with black ink.

As you probably saw in the video, this card is simple to make but is sure to let someone know I am thinking of them on their birthday!

• For the card base I cut a piece of Kraft paper to be 7" x 10" and folded it in half to create a 5" x 7" side folding card.
• Next, using a rubber background stamp, some VersaMark ink, and some gold embossing powder, I created a gold embossed pattern on a scrap piece of Kraft paper that I then die cut the "It's Your Day" and the candles out of. (Technique shown in video above.)
• I then cut out a frame using a die and gold glitter paper.
• In order for the words and candles to show up well I used a die to cut out a rectangle piece of manilla cardstock. I could have cut this by hand, but I had the die available so went the easy way.
• All that was left to do was layer the components and adhere to the card base.
• Lastly, I used some Nuvo Glitter Drops in Honey Gold for a bit more interest.
• The inside of the card is simply a "Happy Birthday" die cut from gold glitter paper and a die cut manilla frame to highlight the message.

This card was a fun way for me to play with some stencils and Distress Inks. I wanted a sweet card I could send simply as a little "hello" to let a friend know I am thinking of them.

• The card base is made with Kraft paper cut 4.25" x 11" and then folded in half to create a 4.25" x 5.5" top folding card.
• The purple piece of cardstock is 4" x 5.25".
• I used a variety of green and purple Distress Inks and a few different stencils from my stash to blend over the top of a 3.75" x 5" piece of Kraft paper.
• For the words I used a stencil, some brown Distress Ink, and then a layer of heat set clear embossing powder (this causes the word to stand out over the background stenciling).
• Lastly, I added some flowers from my stash (I really don't remember where I got those from I've had them so long).
• The inside is some simple stamping allowing me plenty of room to write a personalized message.

For my last card I drew inspiration from a card layout by Kimber McGray I saw a few years ago. She, of course, used different colors, embellishment, materials, etc., but I loved her basic layout with the tag being the center focus. Here are the measurements I used for my version of this card...

• The card base is made with Kraft paper cut 4.25" x 11" and then folded in half to create a 4.25" x 5.5" top folding card.
• The tag is made by cutting out a piece of Kraft paper 2.5" x 3.5". I then trimmed off the top corners, shaded it with some yellow Distress Ink and punched a hole in it.
• You could use any focus stamp... I chose a little girl stamp that is adorable! I stamped her using a pigment ink that matched the Kraft paper, then covered the pigment ink with clear embossing powder and heat set it. This allowed me to use water and distress inks to color her before using a die to cut her out.
• For the "Thanks" I simple colored a piece of Kraft paper with a blue Distress Ink and then die cut it out.
• Lastly, as you probably saw in the above video, I cut out some triangles using a border punch... but I could have used any variety of small shapes for this part. Use what is in your stash!
• After adding a dab of Baker's Twine to the tag I adhered everything together with double-sided tape or glue and even a bit of foam tape. How you assemble this card is a matter of your own personal taste and what you have in your stash. 

I hope you are now inspired to play with Kraft paper and supplies you already have on hand. Be sure to share what you have created and remember we do this for fun! Don't stress out when creating your art because, as Pablo Picasso said, "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."

Happy Paper Crafting,

Rebecca

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