Discover Paper Filigree

Scrapbooking Embellishment Idea

2010-03-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

Scrapbooking Embellishment Idea Article - read more about quilling as a scrapbooking embellishment to create unique scrapbook pages that will WOW your family and friends. Forget boring brads, buttons, and ribbons when you can embellish your pages with quilled paper designs that you create unique and fun!

Free Lesson for Scrapbooking Embellishment Idea

2010-03-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

Free Quilling Instructions on Video for Scrapbooking Embellishments - learn how to create beautiful scrapbooking embellishments with simple to follow step-by-step video instructions for a fun, unique paper craft for scrapbook pages.

Quilling

2010-02-23T22:10:00.001-08:00

The art of Quilling is not a quick, mass-produced artform nor is it a simple craft, it is much more. I'm so glad that more people are starting to learn the art of quilling which has surprisingly been around for hundreds of years! While it is not difficult to learn how to make quilled patterns, it does require a good eye for detail, time, and patience in order to make nice eye-pleasing designs! I'm sure once you learn how to do quilling you'll find it relaxing and fun but you must give it time when you first get started.

Surprisingly, quilling is not difficult to learn how to do but it does take some time and patience since you are working with intricate designs and small pieces of paper. You just need a few proper tools and the time to work on your quilling. The great thing about the art of paper quilling is that almost anyone at any age can learn how to quill paper after just a little bit of practice. You can work on your quilling creations for a few minutes or for many hours. It depends on how quickly you want to work; although many professional quillers will suggest that quilling does take quite some time. I’m pretty sure that once you get started quilling, you won’t want to stop. However, if you are just wanting to learn quilling to add a few designs to your scrapbook or card making, you can do that in very little time and find it fairly easy to master quickly. Quilling at its basic, is rolling a strip of paper around a tool then shaping it. Quilled paper shapes are then formed into a larger design and glued together. Once you learn the basic coils and scrolls, you’ll be able to create artwork and patterns in very little time.

I was relieved to find out that it does not take long to make beautiful quilled creations once you get the basic shapes learned since that is the foundation you can really begin to have fun making larger projects. If you wanted to, you could definitely spend many hours on larger and more intricate designs if you’d like to create masterpieces and stand alone art, instead of just small quilled patterns for cards and scrapbook pages. Large quilled patterns are usually works of art that can be framed for show and that is only one small part of the way that paper filigree is used. Most of the designs you’ll probably make at home with your paper filigree will be patterns to embellish other crafts you are doing so rest assured that it does not need to take all day just to make a few quilled flowers; although anyone that looks at your artwork might think you spent a whole lot more time on it than you really did! The great thing about quilling is that it looks a lot more difficult and time consuming than it actually is to do so you can make something really impressive to show off!

I typically refer to this art as quilling but this paper craft has a few other names it is known by as well that you might see me talk about. Maybe you have heard it called one of these names such as: paper filigree, rolled paper décor,paper rolling, or filigrana. They are really all the same thing, its just that this art form goes by a variety of names depending largely on what country you live in and where you have learned this paper art. Whatever you chose to call it, try quilling once and you’ll surely be hooked on a fun paper craft that can provide many hours of enjoyment for yourself and even children. Quilling makes gorgeous artwork to add as an embellishment to another craft you currently create, especially homemade greeting card making and scrapbooking pages. Whatever name you call it, paper quilling is a lot of fun and easy to do with step by step instructions geared for beginners.

Quilling paper allows you to be creative with the basic coils and scrolls you’ll learn how to make as a beginner. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the variety of quilling patterns you can create with just a few different types of quilled basics. Just remember again that you do need to have a bit of patience (especially as a beginner quiller) since you are working with small tools and small pieces of paper, so take time and do not rush your patterns or else they will be uneven and unprofessional. Each small coil or scroll will be just one tiny portion of the overall design so you want every piece of your pattern to look nice before adding it to your final design. Remember to have fun and make your designs as detailed and intricate as you’d like. Take time for some trial and error as you learn and you’ll soon be amazed at how quickly you are able to make some really cool quilled designs.

Many advanced quilling patterns will require that you spend hours and days or even weeks and months to create a very involved and intricate design. There is really something for all ability levels with paper filigree; some of the quilled creations I've seen are even 3 dimensional which is really neat but of course takes quite a bit more time to be so detailed and intricate.

Free Quilling Instructions

Free Crafts Newsletter

2010-01-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

Sign up now and start receiving new craft ebooks and craft specials each week for a year...totally free!

Go to www.FreeCraftsNewsletter.com to sign-up and grab your first free craft idea!

New Video From Jenn - Learn Paper Quilling For Beginners

2010-01-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

In this video I share with you where you can get a really cool free quilling lesson for beginners! :)

WARNING: "Quilling Books Truth Exposed" Website is Written By A Quilling Ebook Author

2010-01-01T13:07:00.001-08:00

Okay, I really don't ever do this, but I wanted to issue a warning about a website that claims to be "Quilling Books Truth Exposed." (I'm not going to post their website link since that will only help them get more people to their website and to fall for their deceptive advertising.) After a bit of research, I've found out that this website that claims to be providing quilling book reviews is in fact a site owned and written by an author of a quilling ebook that sell for $37.00

I'm sure the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) will find out soon and remind the owner of this website that it is illegal (and punishable by large fines) to NOT disclose that you are in fact making money off of any reviews.

I'm currently in the process of compiling some TRUE testimonials from those Quillers who have a sneak peek at my "Secrets to Quilling Success" before it gets released so you can read actual and FTC compliant testimonials. For now, I'd suggest that you be extra careful when reading supposed "review" websites for any product, for that matter.

Please let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks,
Jenn

ps - I added my picture to this post so you can see that I'm a real, authentic person. I'm on the left. Hubby on the right. :)

The History of Paper Filigree

2009-12-10T15:12:00.001-08:00

Paper Quilling is an art form believed to have evolved over many centuries. Once known as 'paper filigree', the term 'quilling' was derived from the feather quill used to roll out narrow pieces of paper. Quilling is deeply rooted in world history, popularly believed to have come into being in China, after the discovery of papermaking. Members of spiritual communities were the first inventors and users of the quilling process. Gradually, this enjoyable art form spread to other countries and eventually became an important part of the common persons’ life.

Quillings’ main concept involves the use of a hatpin, rolling fingers, or quilling tools to roll paper into desired shapes. Multiple shapes are rolled individually and then connected to one another to construct a final shape or design. Finishing touches are then made to add to the beauty of the piece and to secure it in place. These finishing touches might include using acid free matte board or shadow box framing.

Now that you’re aware of the origin and some aspects of quilling, let’s explore some details of quilling history.

Research has established that a form of quilling metals was performed as early as the mid-4th and 5th centuries. Gold and silver wires were applied to pillars, vases and other objects and jewelry was also fashioned using this technique. By the 13th century this form of metal quilling had become well-known and was practiced world wide.

The conversion from metal to paper use probably occurred as materials became scarce, or were unavailable to the lay person wanting to create pieces. Metal quilling was commonly referred to as metal filigree, and as the technique incorporated the use of paper, was commonly referred to as paper filigree. Early use of paper filigree was primarily confined to religious groups promoting their beliefs and embellishing sacred messages. The shift to the common folk practicing this art brought the term ‘quilling’ into regular use. Paper quilling implemented many techniques similar to jewelry styles, utilizing strips of paper, free rolls and edging. In the 17th and 18th centuries, quilling art expanded to tea caddies, coat of arms designs and photo frames.

There are few facts, but many stories, attributed to the origins of quilling. Some say it was developed in ancient times, not long after making paper was discovered. Others claim paper quilling was born in the 13th century when nuns were unable to purchase metal filigree due to its’ high cost. Still others believe that quilling began in the Americas. And yet, further evidence points to quilling being used in the Mediterranean region. With so many conflicting claims, no one can say for certain where quilling originated, but clearly it carries a truly international history.

Books of the Victorian Age and quilled pieces of that time indicate that proper young women practiced quilling to decorate furniture or purses and to create jewelry. Similar to the artwork of handicrafts, it has found difficultly surviving in present day times and its’ popularity has decreased. However, perhaps one day, it will regain its’ lost glory as an ancient art, practiced for centuries, since the technique can be used throughout the world for nearly limitless purposes.

Basic Quilling Shapes Found in Quilling Patterns

2009-12-07T22:08:00.000-08:00

Fundamental Quilling - Want more? www.LearnQuilling.com

Essentially, quilling is the act of rolling a strip of paper around a quilling tool to create a tight coil. Always work with strips of the correct length and width for your pattern re...
The ancient art of quilling has seen the rise and fall of its’ popularity over hundreds of years and throughout the world, proving its’ durability as an art form. In this section, we’ll have a healthy discussion the fascinating techniques under the concept of quilling.
Essentially, quilling is the act of rolling a strip of paper around a quilling tool to create a tight coil. Always work with strips of the correct length and width for your pattern requirements and for the shape you wish to produce. If you use a slotted tool, but sure to insert your strip correctly and then hold the tool firmly while turning it to roll the paper strip into a coil. Use your other hand to guide the strip and keep the coil tight. Then slip the coil from the tool and glue the end to the coil to hold it, or leave it unattached for use as a loose, or tailed, scroll.

Coil
Roll your paper strip tightly using your needle tool and then let the coil release and expand slightly. Next glue the strip end to the roll. This is the most basic quilling shape that nearly all other shapes start off as, and is also known as a relaxed, filler or loose coil.

Teardrop
Roll and glue a loose coil, then, while holding it with the thumb and finger of one hand, use the thumb and finger of the other hand to pinch one side of the coil to a point, creating a teardrop shape—also known as a peacock eye.

Marquise
Roll and glue a loose coil, then holding the coil with both hands, pinch each side of the coil simultaneously to create double points. This distinctive shape is also known as a diamond.

Half Circle
Roll and glue a loose coil, then create a teardrop. Next, pinch a second point near the first point that made the teardrop shape. The distance between the two points determines the height of the shape.

Loose Scroll
Roll a loose coil, leaving a substantial portion, or whatever your pattern or desire calls for, unrolled. These shapes are also known as ‘tailed’ scrolls.

V-Scroll
Fold your strip in half lengthwise. Then roll a coil from each end of the strip. You may roll towards the inside of the fold to create a heart scroll, or towards the outside of the fold, to create a ‘V’ scroll.

T-Scrolls
Roll a ‘V’ scroll, then glue the unrolled ‘legs’ of the shape together to create a ‘T’ shape.

Fringed Loose Scroll
Roll a loose, or tailed, scroll, then carefully holding the shape with tweezers, cut the unrolled end, or ‘tail’ lengthwise with scissors. This creates a fringed ‘tail’.

Want more? www.LearnQuilling.com

Want to Embellish Your Scrapbook With Really Cool Ideas?

2009-12-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

Adding Embellishments to Your Scrapbook

When it comes to the scrapbook, you just can’t stick pictures on paper, you have to do more than that if you want to make it nice and unique...but hey, that’s the fun of it! You will want to include pictures and memorabilia, but you will also want to add some embellishments. When it comes to adding embellishments, you add things not for function, but just to be pleasing to the eye. You will find that the paper isle in the local scrapbook store or craft store will have a whole row just for embellishments. You will find a large and diverse selection of embellishments when you go shopping for them.

As for the most popular type of embellishment, you will find that stickers tend to take the cake. Browse any craft store and you’ll quickly realize that the first few aisles of the store is typically scrapbooking embellishments and there are ROWS of stickers. These aren’t like the gold stars you got in grade school—stickers today come in just about any shape and size! You will find that the letter sticker will be a very handy type of sticker to use in the scrap book. These come in sheets featuring the entire alphabet so you can use them to create titles on your page. This works especially well for scrap bookers who don’t like their own handwriting. You can even use 3d stickers in your scrap book. Because your pages are most likely themed, the most common way to buy stickers is by theme as well. There are some companies that will offer you a kit that will match in papers and stickers so that you don’t have to think too much about coordinating which is always a nice bonus. This will make it easier for you to put a scrap book together and you will find that the store may not offer you what you would like, but a kit can.

If you would like to have a look that is simpler, then you will want to use try die cuts. These paper cutouts look great on the page alone, or can be used for matting or journaling. One of the most complicated type of die cuts are paper dolls.

These are not unlike the paper dolls you may have played with as a child, but are meant to be glued to the page when you are done dressing them. You can purchase a paper doll in any race and with any hair color. There are a lot of scrapbooks like to create paper dolls as a subject or focal point. They will dress them with outfits that you can find in numerous stores.

As for other embellishments, you will want to get some ribbons and strings to attach to the paper. You can purchase any ribbons or strings separately, but you may also be able to purchase a kit that includes many colors of varieties. Just make sure that they are made for scrap booking because they need to be acid free.

You will want all of your supplies to be acid free as well so your pictures will stay colorful and alive for many, many years to come. Almost anything can be used as an embellishment, but it needs to be safe for your pictures too. You will want to browse through the local stores and look for embellishments to help inspire you in the design of many upcoming pages. You will be very shocked by all of the new additions that you will want for your scrap-booking inventory.

Oh and one more really cool scrapbooking embellishment is certainly quilling. If you haven’t heard of paper quilling craft, you are definitely in for a treat! Don’t worry, it is not as hard as it looks…as long as you have my step by step easy to follow instructions. Check out more about quilling at http://www.LearnQuilling.com and you’ll soon be addicted to this amazing paper filigree craft that will add tons of great style and pizzazz to your scrapbooks!