Cardmaking: with scraps, vintage book pages, typing ... and decoupage. [Bet you weren't expecting the decoupage]

Hi you.

Did you hear I bought a typewriter? [I blogged my top tips for anyone thinking about getting a typewriter last week. It involves a sandwich. As all the best life advice should.]

And so there's likely to be typewritten erm ... typing  ... popping up on my papercraft projects from now on, starting with ...

A birthday card I made for a friend and, as I tend not to buy many 'sentiment' type stamps or labels, I can already see the typewriter's going to come in very handy for adding a quick message to my cards:

Here I typed directly on to a sheet of Spanish text paper [similar sheets are available in mixed Modern European language text packs here] that I'd toned down with the white 'Picket Fence' Distress Ink. I then layered up scraps of paper, washi, and trimming on top and machine-stitched it down:

And yes, it doesn't happen very often but, occasionally I come across certain designs of decoupage image that I feel would work as a focal point on my preferred scrappy, messy, collagey style of card making. [This one was from the Papermania 'Bellisima' range]:

If you like the feel of this card then here are a few ideas you could take away with you ...

4 'take away' ideas to transfer to your own projects: 

1. Use text as a backdrop for a vintage feel - text in other languages can help add interest but also [if you don't speak the language] can help avoid the words being a distraction.
2. The white Distress Stain is a useful one for covering up some text, without obliterating it entirely.
3. Decoupage can work on less 'traditional' styles of card especially if you leave out the initial base image [the one you generally build the design on top of which is often a large frame shape] and instead layer the design directly on to your choice of backing paper.
4. And ... a typewriter can come in handy for tapping out a quick, personalised, greeting.

Anything there grab your card making fancy today?

Can I tempt you to get your crafty bits out as soon as you get the chance?

Julie