Apr 08 2007
Leather and Lace–The TP Technique
There’s not much to this technique, really, but folks are always asking me how I got that look on my cardstock so I thought I’d share it here. Once upon a time I didn’t have 34 background stamps or deep piles of gorgeous designer papers competing for space in my stamp room, so I had to improvise if I wanted anything other than plain cardstock on my projects. Most of the time I think cardstock looks better with ink on it–not always, but most of the time. Even with all those background stamps and designer papers at my disposal I still do the TP technique when it just “feels” right. It doesn’t come out looking the same every time; sometimes it looks a lot more like leather, but this is how it looks on this card–the lower portion of the card is So Saffron cardstock with More Mustard ink TP’d onto it:
TP is toilet paper. I know, it’s not something that comes up in stamping talk a lot, but it’s a tool I use constantly. On this card I TP’d the So Saffron piece, stamped SU!’s Fine Lace in Mellow Moss on Very Vanilla, flipped the two pieces over and taped them together on the back. I pierced the lower edge and inserted the pretty leaf brad that I found in the Paper Wishes catalog (see their link under “Shopping” over to the right). I layered that onto a Mellow Moss panel.
The main image is SU!’s Petal Prints stamped on Very Vanilla after stamping off twice–I probably should have stamped off a third time. I then used Chocolate Chip to stamp this older Stampendous sentiment (which I love) over the flowers, sponged the edges with So Saffron and mounted that on a So Saffron panel. The next step was to make the Mellow Moss layer. I cut it a little longer so I could add the Trimtastic scalloped lace border. It’s stamped in Always Artichoke and trimmed with my paper snips. This layer is also TP’d–with Mellow Moss–although it doesn’t show up much in the photo. I sponged the edges, too, with Mellow Moss.
Now, to finish putting it all together–I glued the Mellow Moss panel in place, as shown, and added a double row of Eggplant grosgrain ribbon with a length of gold cord sandwiched between them. You can’t see it much in the photo–our cards always look better IRL, don’t they? I wanted it to tie in with the gold brad. I secured this panel to the card front, then adhered the main image panel with Scotch mounting tape to add dimension. I sometimes like to separate my layers this way for two reasons–it adds a little more interest to the design and it allows 1/4″ more of the ribbon to show. It’s not much, but it makes a difference. Here’s a couple of visuals of the TP action:
First, you’ll need a smooshing tool–a wadded up piece of toilet paper, preferrably with one or more creases or folds in it. Ink it up thoroughly by pressing it firmly into your stamp pad.
Press the smooshing tool firmly onto your cardstock, turning every which way as you go to avoid a patterned look. Be generous with the ink, but allow some of the cardstock color to show through. The ink color will lighten a bit as it dries.
It’s a lot like using crinkled plastic wrap to texturize cardstock, but you can vary the look by how wrinkled or smooth your TP is. There’s less contrast, of course, if your ink and cardstock are the same color. You can also stamp on top of it or Cuttlebug it for yet another look. I hope you give it a try! Thanks for visiting, and have a super duper week!
This looks terrific and what a great idea…another duh, why didn’t I think of that?
At last! A TP Tutorial! And your card is beautiful. I love the watermark effect of the flowers behind the words. Nice touches with the gold cord, brad and piercing. I always forget about my Trimtastic set. Linda
Another gorgeous card from you! The details you put into your cards are just amazing. I’ve never tried the TP Technique–thanks so much for the tutorial–I will have to give it a try. (That sentiment is great, too!)
What a beautiful card - and the brad adds a touch of elegance. I now need to go and try the TP technique. I love how it makes the cardstock look and how I can make my own cool cardstock.
Great technique with alot of versatility and easy too. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
grace
I haven’t tried TP yet but I am the queen of tin foil, waxed paper and plastic wrap. Thanks for the reminder to try something new!
Your TP design looks great. One of my SU downline showed me that a few weeks ago and I have yet to try it. Your card turned out FAB-O! TFS.
Alli
I learned TP’ing from my oh so talented Demo……leslierich! Aren’t I the lucky one?!? Yep, I do TP, especially when I need extra texture. TFS your gorgeous card and TP Tutorial. Nancy
What a great idea. Can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks
Who would of thought something so simple can make the card look sooooo elegant! Thanks for sharing - I can’t wait to try it. And I love the trimtastic stamp on the edge - really sets it off!
I can remember the days when we took TP and many many layers and put them into a fold, squirted water on them then let them dry, colored and mounted to a card. I just never thought of stamping with TP like we do with saran wrap. LOL! How truly fun. Another use for TP besides using it on your backside. Thanks for the fun tutorial. I will be giving it a try tomorrow hopefully. Throught stamping for today (if that really happens). Housework just keeps calling me.
Thank you for the TP tutorial! It gives such a lovely effect! I love the colors you’ve used here. The sentiment is perfect, as is the pierced double row, and brad. So gorgeous!
Who knew that TP could create such beauty! Absolutely gorgeous Leslie! Thanks for sharing your technique!
Linda
Oh I like this! I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks Leslie!
WOW! Your background really looks great!Love the colors, I love it all as I do all your cards!
I’m so happy you shared your TP secret! Better yet with photos! YOU ROCK!!!
WOW! I’ve done the plastic wrap but never the TP, well, on a card anyway *grin* LOVE the look! And this card, it’s beautiful! Thanks for the great tip, Leslie!
Gorgeous!!!
TP fully explained to me — at long last!!! Thanks much!!! Love your card and I DO LOVE that leathery look — I WILL try this — soon!!!
Gorgeous, Leslie — great technique that I will definitely be trying! TFS.
Well I would never have thought to use TP. I have a huge stash of sea sponges and keep them handy all the time for stuff like this but never, ever would have dreamed to use TP. It looks fabulous by the way and one Gorgeous card!
So stunning and gorgeous! Love the colors - what a classy card!
~Angie
WOW! This is so very rich looking. Who’d have thought? I must go play now–you’re an inspiration!
Who knew tp could bring such beautiful results??!! That is so cool! I am now going to have a roll by my desk for sure! I love the look!!
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I know this was posted a while ago, but I felt compelled to comment.
What a fantastic idea, thank you for sharing. It is very much like ragging, where people take an old rag and pait their walls in their homes, it never entered my mind to adapt this onto card and us TP is a brilliant idea.
This is definatley something that I am going to give a go.
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