The Next Challenge in the Moxie Fab World: Textured to Perfection

Straight from the pages of the September/October issue of Paper Crafts magazine (and just in time, the November/December issue goes on sale next week!), I've a got a fantastically inspiring challenge from our moxie talented Go-to Gal, Betsy Veldman.

Fall seems to be the perfect season to incorporate texture into our projects. Not sure why. Is it the implication that in order to create texture, there will be layers involved? Is it the many and varied materials used to create texture such as fabric, felt, and natural fibers that one might use and their inherent correlation to warmth?

Whatever the reason, Betsy has knocked this particular technique out of the proverbial park in our PC101 column found on page 30. And believe you me, she's gone beyond fabric and felt and incorporated a whole slew of creative approaches that will give interest and dimension to your projects if you give them a try. Check it:

Combine paint and fabric. Fray the edges of the fabric, apply paint, and sew a frame around the image. Mount on cork for added texture.

Incorporate string. Place adhesive on cardstock circle; begin on the outer edge, wind string around circle until filled.

Layer paint.  Stamp image and sentiment, then layer different paint colors around edges. Apoply a crackle finish for the final touch.

Layer tissue paper. Simply wet the tissue paper and apply it to the patterned paper. Allow to dry and press if needed.

Use distress embossing powder. Stamp diamond pattern on cardstock using watermark ink pad. Using the pad, randomly apply the watermark ink onto edges of the cardstock. Apply distress powder and heat-set.

Crumple paper. Stamp and emboss image, then mist with water and crumple. Flatten as desired and allow paper to dry.

Add natural materials. Use cork, corrugated paper, and wood veneer to add texture to your projects.

Try this water distressing technique. Wet the edges of cardstock, crumple and form as desired. Allow to dry.

Play with embossing folders. Place white paper over embossing folder and rub a crayon over the surface of the paper. Spritz paper with ink to desired coverage--crayon will resist spray ink. Then align and place paper back in embossing folder and emboss.

Creative approaches, eh? And take a gander at these gaaaaw-juuuus cards using a combination of these innovative techniques:

Butterfly Thinking of You Card, p. 31

Happy Fall Card, p. 31

Inspired to create some textured elements on your own cards? I'm sure hoping so! Because your supah fun challenge is as follows:

• Create a paper crafted project (card, gift bag, tag, layout, home decor item, mini-book cover, etc.) that incorporates texture in an innovative way.
• Upload it to your blog, click on the title of that post, copy the URL, and add it to Mr. Linky below.
• Tell your readers that you've created your project for the Textured to Perfection Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and link it back to this post to encourage your readers to play along as well.
  
• If you don't have a blog, upload your project to this flickr gallery, copy the URL to your project, and add it to Mr. Linky below.
• Upload your projects by midnight EDT on Monday, October 31.
• The winning entries will be shown on this blog on Wednesday, November 2 and will receive an "I'm Moxie Fab" challenge winner button as well as a truly moxie fab prize.

I can't wait to see how you get clever with texure,

~Cath

PS To see an additional, and just-as-lovely, project that incorporates texture, this time by using bottle caps (among other things), turn to p. 32.