How to Easily Combine Rubber Stamping, Scrapbooking and Paper Tole

Paper tole is the process of producing three dimensional art from flat stamping images or prints. This is done successfully by cutting, placing and securing paper pieces until the three dimensional rendition is created.

To embellish scrapbook pages and card making crafts with paper tole you will need a few basic tools. Stamping supplies are essential to produce the quantity of the image you wish to dimensionalize. This includes your craft rubber stamps, stamping inks and chalks. You will need a craft knife and a cutting mat for cutting and a good pair of scissor may come in handy with less detailed stamped images. To secure the pieces to each other you will need foam squares for scrapbooking. Depending on their size you may need to cut them smaller.

It is important to consider your rubber stamps with perspective. To do this, check a stamped image for components that could appear closer than others. A good example might be an animal facing you, where the back legs would be furthest away, then the body and the head will be closest. You can create paper tole art with animals, flowers, landscapes and anything else which has background and foreground elements.

STEP 1

Begin by rubber stamping your chosen image in a dark color such as brown or black on a light colored cardstock. Stamp no less than three images though for some images you may want to do more. Color in the images with chalks so that each stamped image is identical.

STEP 2

Use your craft knife to carefully cut around the outside edges of the first rubber stamped image. This is the background. The next layer is created by cutting out the second rubber stamping image only this time cut off the elements that are furthest away from you such as the back legs of an animal. Continue with this process until your have cut out the part of your image which will be in the foreground or be the closest to you. You may see an example of this by visiting http://www.clearlyrubberstamping.com/paper-tole-embellishments.

STEP 3

Secure each layer in place with three-dimensional sticky foam. This foam is sticky on both sides and very easy to use. It can be purchased in any scrapbooking store. Be sure the foam is cut small enough that it will not be seen when the paper tole craft is complete. Secure each stamped layer from the back to the front.

STEP 4

As most paper tole art is framed in a deep frame when complete, a great way to complete this embellishment would be to create a frame for it. This is done simply by either stamping a frame or just cutting strips of paper. You will need enough for 3 complete frames. Simply adhere the pieces together with sticky foam around the stamped paper tole image stacking them three high.

Paper tole takes a little time and imagination but with simple rubber stamping images created with craft rubber stamps, it can be a very rewarding and fun way to embellish scrapbook pages and card making projects.