Glueing sumi-e paper and trimming tips?
 

I have some sumi-e paper (a washi type paper I guess you'd call it) and I like to stamp on it. But I can't apply snail to the back of it, the paper shreds. Anyone use these types of papers and what adhesive do you use on them? (Maybe I should put the snail on the card and not the sumi-e)

Also - I have ruined several cards trying to trim the edges of a piece of cardstock that I have attached to it. You know, when you trim the edge that hangs over to be even with the card. I use a ruler (it's just a green plastic thing I already had and maybe that's the problem). I have seen videos of people trimming using no ruler. I'd like to know what others do. Maybe I'm just a klutz.

Thanks
RR

You are not a Klutz, the paper is just very delicate.

Personally when I have used it, I have used small amounts of wet clue rather then tape, but you do have to be careful not to flood it. I have had most luck with a Quickie Glue pen - I think they are made by Sakura.

As for cutting, trimming is always tricky, as it can tear rather then cut, if it is on the edge of the card, you could flip the card over so you can see the part that comes over the edge, and carefullly cut it with sissors.

When I apply the sumi/washi paper (any thin/delicate paper) to a backing, I use Miracle Tape/ScorTape to the paper. (sometimes I will use the 3M brand because I apply it directly to the thinner paper) If I try to apply tape with a roller applicator, it doesn't stick or tears. The direct method with tape with a peel off backing or 3M cut to length works for me.

Good luck!

I treat sumi-e, rice papers generally, and handmade papers as fabric and use Fabric-Tac successfully with them.

Thanks for those suggestions. I am going to try both adhesives.

And I guess my trimming is just going to be a matter of practice. I was using a single edge razor blade because I didn't have anything else. I just ordered a proper craft knife! Maybe that will help.

If I am building a card front ( which is my usual ) and then the base is a seperate piece I tend to back those papers with cardstock so I can glue cardstock to cardstock, but I tend to run it through the sewing machine a lot too because it rips so easy to appy a tape type glue to it directly. If I know Im going to run a lace or ribbon across it in a spot I may stick a glue dot where I will have something covering that to help hold it in place while Im stitching and the trim is going to cover the glue dot bump. you just have to not have the glue dot where you intend to stitch. ( just close to it.)

did that make any sense at all?

So you adhere the washi/sumi to cardstock using a sewing machine? Or do you glue it to the card front?

You probably explained it perfectly, it's me who is a little slow!

right sew it onto cardstock with a sewing machine and then you have that layer that can go onto a folded card base.

so if you wanted to wrap lace or anything else that needed stitched down skeleton leave stems... you could do it at the same time.

but, I dont make one layer cards very often. the other choice would be to sew it direct to the card base then line the inside of the cards to hide the stitches if you wanted.

( I keep clear thread on my bobbin so I dont have to change that all the time too when I change thread colors so, I dont usually want to see the back side of my stitching) ;)

Hmmm. I will have to pull out my old sewing machine. I could see where the stitching could be an interesting decorative element, and one that would fit into my own style. I don't make single layer cards, either, but I do make very "flat" cards. Although I admire the clever use of them in others, highly three-dimensional embellishments don't seem to be where I go when I design. Although I am considering brads!