| Sometimes using a brand new crisp sheet of | | | | notice that the edges are never straight and flat. You |
| card-stock just doesn't suit the old photographs that | | | | can recreate this effect by using the tearing technique. |
| you want to use on your layout. There are loads of | | | | - If you tear the paper towards you, the core of the |
| great scrapbooking solutions to get an aged or | | | | paper is revealed, and you can highlight the edges with |
| distressed look to your layouts. There are also a | | | | inks or chalks. |
| number of manufacturers producing printed designs | | | | - If you tear the paper away from you, the edge will |
| that recreate a distressed look, but it is much more fun | | | | be cleaner and sharper. You can also try curling these |
| and cheaper to create your own. | | | | edges inwards for an authentically aged effect. |
| The easiest way to distress or age paper is to simply | | | | Most old documents are yellowed with time. You can |
| crumple it up. Take the page with both hands and | | | | achieve this same effect by using the direct to paper |
| crunch it up into a ball. The tighter the ball, the softer | | | | inking technique. Do this by applying the ink pad directly |
| and finer the finished crumples will be. Next open out | | | | to the paper, obviously using tan or brown ink. Start by |
| the paper and smooth it down. You can then create | | | | using a light touch of ink here and there, and darken if |
| different effects by either applying glaze for a shine, or | | | | necessary. |
| inking lightly over the crumples to create a piece that | | | | - Other colours can also be used for this technique, |
| looks 100 years old. If you want a smoother result, try | | | | and white is also excellent for a soft cloudy finish. |
| ironing the sheet with a dry iron set to medium heat. | | | | - Using a thick makeup brush to apply the ink in a |
| Another scrapbooking idea is to lightly sand the | | | | swirling fashion will also highlight the texture of the |
| surface of the paper with fine sand paper to remove | | | | paper, or any embossing in the paper. |
| bits of the finishing of the paper here and there. Paper | | | | When creating the aged effect, don't used brightly |
| or cardstock with a white core will work better for this | | | | coloured card, but if you have to and you want the |
| technique. You can also combine sanding and | | | | layout to look aged, you can apply walnut or brown |
| crumpling. | | | | inks to tone the colours down produce effects that |
| - If you look at old newspapers or documents you will | | | | occur naturally over time. |